Sexual abuse is when a child or young person is forced or pressurised or tricked into taking part in any type of sexual activity with an adult or another young person.

This can include: kissing, oral sex, inappropriate touching, penetrative sex.

• being kissed in a way that you are uncomfortable with

• being touched in a way you are uncomfortable with, without your permsission (consent)

• being forced to have sex or oral sex with someone

• being forced to look at sexual pictures or videos

• being forced to touch someone else in a sexual way

• being made to watch someone do something sexual like flashing or exposing themselves to you

It takes courage to speak out but at Lifecentre we would like to listen and help you.

• Is it abuse if I let my boyfriend/girlfriend do it before?

No one should make you do anything that you are not comfortable with. Even if you have done it before - we are all allowed to change our minds - and we do for lots of reasons. If someone forces you to do something sexual that you are unhappy with then it is abuse.

• Can I be abused by a woman?

Sexual abuse by a woman is not talked about very often but it happens more than people think. Sexual abuse by anyone, male or female is wrong. Text us on 07717 989 022 if you would like to talk to Lifecentre about this.

• If I tell someone will they believe me?

Telling someone is one of the bravest things you will ever do and can be very difficult. Some people do find it very hard to hear about something as horrible as sexual abuse and others may not want to have to get involved and they may not want to believe it. If you speak to someone who does not want to believe you then don't give up - there are lots of people who want to help you very much. Lifecentre will always listen and believe you when you tell us your true experiences and we want to help you get safe. Call us on: 0808 802 0808.

• I'm afraid my boyfriend/girlfriend will leave me if I don't have sex.

No one should force you or pressurise you into having sex. Sex should always be part of a loving and trusting relationship - if someone is putting pressure on you to have sex, then they are not respecting you in the way that they should and they are not valuing you for who you really are. You deserve better than that.

The law says that you shouldn't be having sex under the age of 16 anyway and if you are forced when you are over the age of 16 then that is illegal too. If you are under the age of consent and having sex with someone who is over 16 then it is them that is in the wrong and you will not get into trouble if you tell someone. It is good to talk to someone you trust about what is happening - let them help you. If you would like you can talk to someone at Lifecentre - Call us on: 0808 802 0808 or Text us on 07717 989 022

“I feel I have been able to overcome so much by coming to Life Centre, it has been good to let it all out and be able to look at my feelings. What’s been so good is that I can leave it all behind because I trust Life Centre. It is a safe place and really friendly. I can now be a little girl and not a grown up”