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Overview
This page explains what sexual violence is and where you can go to get specialist support.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call the Police on 111
If you need the Police but can’t speak for fear of harm, you will be asked to press keys for emergency assistance. If hearing or speaking is difficult, you can sign up to 111 TXT
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If you need urgent support services, you can get help now
Sexual violence is never your fault
Sexual violence is a serious crime. It affects people differently and there is no right or wrong way to feel. If you’re unsure whether you’ve experienced sexual violence, or would like some support, there are organisations that can help you.
Find out more about getting support after sexual violence
Understanding sexual violence
Sexual violence is any unwanted sexual activity or behaviour that happens without your freely given, informed, and ongoing consent.
Sexual violence can be done by a stranger, acquaintance, friend, family member, partner, ex-partner, person in authority, or someone you trust. Many people know the person who caused the harm.
Sexual activity doesn’t have to be someone touching you. It can be non-physical, like someone manipulating you, making you watch something sexual you don’t want to, or using technology to stalk, harass, threaten or harm you.
Understanding consent
Consent means giving permission to do something through a clear and voluntary ‘yes’ which can be expressed through words or actions. You have the right to change your mind at any time, for any reason, and you don’t have to explain your decision.
There is no consent if you did not freely choose to agree to sexual activity, or if you were not able to fully understand, communicate, or change your decision.
If someone pressures, manipulates, intimidates, threatens, or forces you into sexual activity, then they are choosing to act without your consent and are responsible for that harm. This includes when you may be affected by alcohol or drugs, asleep, unconscious, under 16, or where someone has more power than you do (like a person in authority).
What sexual violence can look like
Sexual harm does not always involve physical violence or contact. In New Zealand, both sexual harm and sexual violence are used to describe unwanted sexual experiences. You can use whatever words feel right for you.
Sexual harm refers to a range of unwanted sexual experiences or behaviours. The term recognises not all experiences involve physical violence, yet they can still cause significant harm.
The law uses specific definitions for different forms of unwanted sexual experiences.
You can talk to a specialist support service or the police about this. There are support and resources available
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Show examples of what sexual violence can look like
- unwanted sexualised attention, comments, or advances
- coercion or pressure to engage in sexual activity (including being ‘worn down’, guilted into sexual activity, or threatened)
- sexual harassment, threats, or intimidation
- online sexual harassment
- image‑based sexual abuse
- technology-facilitated sexual violence, also known as TFSV
- exploitation
- grooming
- unwanted touching or sexual contact
- stealthing
- reproductive coercion and harm
- forcing someone to watch sexual acts or material or making them take part in sexual activity with others
- rape or sexual assault
- any sexual activity with someone under the age of 16
- any sexual activity with a person who is unable to give or refuse consent.
Learn more on the Victims Information | For People Affected by Sexual Violence(external link)
Terms you may hear
You may hear terms like victim, survivor, or victim-survivor in reference to sexual harm.
You can choose to use what feels right to you and your experience.
In the New Zealand criminal justice system, legal documents and court proceedings generally use the terms victim and witness for the Crown to describe a person's role in the case.
Victims Information | For people affected by sexual violence