Crime & Police
Money Stuff
Health & Sexuality
Legal Life Skills
Driving
Family
Work & School
Housing
Basic RightsSexual Assault
Last Reviewed:
Reviewed By:
If you’ve been sexually assaulted, it is not your fault. Help is available and you are not alone.
What counts as sexual assault?
Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual activity like kissing, grabbing and rape. This includes threats of sexual contact, too. It can also be someone in a position of power, trust, or authority manipulating or forcing someone into sexual acts.
Sexual activity is only legal with everyone involved consents.
Safety
Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number if you or someone you know is in immediate danger from assault or abuse. To speak to someone confidentially and to get more information, call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 (or 7-1-1 for the deaf and hard of hearing)
Have I been sexually assaulted?
Ask yourself these questions:
- Did you say "no" or show with your actions that you didn't want to engage in sexual contact, but it continued anyway? Remember, you can change your mind at any time. If you initially consented but change your mind you can let your partner know and they should stop right away.
- You didn’t provide an affirmative “yes” through words or actions? Silence or passivity does not equal consent.
- Were you threatened or harmed to make you agree to sexual contact?
- Were you physically or mentally unable to consent because you were impaired, drugged, or have a disability?
- Did someone use their authority or power to pressure you into sexual contact?
If any of these situations apply to you, then yes, you've been sexually assaulted. It's important to remember that consent must be clear, informed, ongoing and freely given. If it wasn't, you have every right to seek help and support.
Get help
Kids Help Phone: Children and teens can call to speak to a counsellor day or night at 1-800-668-6868. Counsellors are available to speak to anonymously about concerns with abuse and can help children and teens call the police or child protective services.
Battered Women Support Services Crisis Line: 604-687-1867 or Toll Free 1-855-687-1868
Who could do this?
It could be anyone, a stranger, someone you know, a current or ex-partner. No one has the right to threaten or force you into any sexual contact. It's a crime, no matter the relationship.
If you’ve been assaulted, it’s not your fault.
There are many myths out there designed to make survivors feel to blame, but if you’ve been sexually assaulted, it's never your fault. Help is available, and you are not alone. There are resources like victim services ready to support you.
What to do if you’ve been assaulted:
- Get to a safe place.
- If in immediate danger or need urgent medical help, call 911 or your local emergency number.
- To report a past assault, call your local police’s non-emergency number.
- Don’t want to call the police? Contact VictimLinkBC at 1-800-563-0808 for confidential, anonymous support.
- Talk to someone you trust. Friends or family can provide emotional and practical support.
- Seek medical attention. Go to a hospital, clinic, or your doctor as soon as possible, even if the assault wasn’t recent.
- Have questions? Reach out to a victim service worker at VictimLinkBC for answers and support.