A sexual assault is any sexual act that a person did not consent to, or is forced into against their will. It is a form of sexual violence and includes rape (an assault involving penetration of the vagina, anus or mouth), or other sexual offences, such as groping, forced kissing, child sexual abuse, or the torture of a person in a sexual manner.
Sexual abuse can happen to anyone of any age, race, religion, sexuality, gender, (dis)ability, etc.
An LGBT+ person may be sexually abused in a homo/trans-phobic motivated attack. An LGBT+ person may also be sexually assaulted/raped as a form of ‘conversion/cure’ therapy.
How to Preserve Evidence:
If you have been a victim of rape/sexual assault, to preserve evidence, please consider the below Do’s and Try not to’s:
Do | Try not to |
Keep each item of clothing including destroyed clothing and place this into a (paper) bag if possible | Shower/washing hands and body parts |
Write down as much as you can remember | Eat, drink, and smoke |
Visit your local Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) or a centre that completes Early Evidence Kits, such as a sexual health clinic | Brush your teeth/mouthwash |
| Urinate |
| Douche |
| Disturb the area where the assault occurred |