If you, or someone you know, has been sexually assaulted, raped or abused there is help available.
If you are in immediate danger call the police on 111.
You can call 111 from your cell phone even if you have no credit.

• Anyone can be a victim of sexual abuse, sexual harm, rape or sexual assault. It can happen to children, women, and men, of all ages, of any sexuality, gender or ethnicity.
• No one “asks” to be sexually abused or assaulted and no one who is sexually abused or assaulted is ever to blame for this happening.
• Sexual abuse, sexual harm, rape or sexual assault always involves a misuse of power and is a crime. 
• Approximately 1 in 4 New Zealand women and 1 in 8 men have experienced sexual abuse before the age of 15. 
• Sexual orientation or gender identity – that is if you identify as straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual or a woman, man or anywhere in between, has nothing to do with sexual abuse.
• Your body may react in its own way to sexual abuse.
• Getting help as soon as possible actually does help you to start to recover from the effects of the abuse.

What help is available?

Telling someone you trust about your experience, whether it is a family member, a nurse or doctor, or a counsellor, is the first step towards getting the help you need and the path to recovery.

Counselling is available from services like MSASS for all people who have been sexually assaulted, raped or sexually abused. Help is also available to their family and friends.

Help is also available for people who are concerned about their own sexual thoughts and behaviour.

This information accessed from justthefacts.co.nz