Sexual assault
What is sexual assault? | Reporting a sexual assault | Support servicesWhat is sexual assault?
Sexual assault is where someone is forced, coerced or tricked into sexual acts. It can also include being exposed to sexual situations against a person's will. Sexual assault can include rape, incest, indecent assault, child sexual assault and sexual molesting.
Children or people who can't give informed consent are sexually assaulted when someone uses their age, size, authority or position of trust to involve them in sexual acts.
While most sexual assaults are carried out by men, there are people who have been assaulted by women. Sexual assault can happen to anyone, both men and women, and to people with all types of backgrounds.
Sexual assaults are often carried out by a person known to you rather than a stranger. Sexual assault is a crime. This does not change even if you know the person.
Reporting a sexual assault
If you are in immediate danger - call the police on 000.
Police and health services are well trained to provide assistance to people who have reported a sexual assault.
If you wish to report an assault to the police and the assault has just happened, it is better not to change your clothes or wash beforehand.
Anybody who reports being sexually assaulted to the police or the Department of Community Services should be taken or referred to their nearest sexual assault service (see below). A range of services are offered by sexual assault services including information, counselling, support, court support, medical examination and treatment.
Unless you are under sixteen (in which case the Department of Community Services must be notified) no information about your contact with the sexual assault service will be given out without your permission.
• No one ever deserves to be sexually assaulted.
• Rape is a serious crime.
• It's still rape if it's someone you know.
• If you are sexually assaulted it is not your fault.
• Help is as near as the nearest sexual assault service.
Support services
The following telephone counselling and referral services are also available.
This service has a 24-hour crisis line.
(02) 9819 6565 or 1800 424 017 (outside Sydney)
TTY (02) 9181 4349 (for deaf and speech impaired)
Department of Community Services
1800 656 463 (24 hours)
(02) 9797 6733 or 1800 654 199
TTY for deaf (02) 9716 5100