What is sexual violence?
Sexual violence is when someone:
- Touches your private parts
- Shows you their genitals (sexual organs)
- Forces you to have sex with them (that’s called rape)
- Takes a photo or video of you naked
- Shows you pornographic (or sexual) videos or images
Forces you to touch someone else’s private parts or to take part in sexual acts
What is sexual exploitation?
It’s when someone forces you to:
- take photos of yourself naked or take part in sexual videos
- have sex with people, whether you know them or not.
This sexual behaviour that makes you feel uncomfortable can be:
- a way of behaving
- a way of speaking
- a way of writing
- or even a way of communicating with images.
Sexual violence can take place in different situations, and be instigated by adults or young people, people you know or complete strangers, men or women, etc.
Sexual assaults not only take place in the ‘real’ world, but also in the digital world..
Where can I find help?
- If you or someone you know has experienced this kind of behaviour, you may be afraid to talk about it. It's normal because it is very hard to do. But talking about it is the only way to get help and to stop this person from hurting you or other children again. You should have someone close to you that you trust will listen to you: your parents, your teachers or teaching assistants, the DPEs at your school or the SePAS staff.
- If you want to find out more about what sexual abuse is and how to react if it happens to you: So this is sexual abuse?
When does an adult have the right to have sexual contact with you?
Never!
Sexual relations between adults and childrenUnder the age of 18. are always prohibited. The law punishes the adults who have sexual relations with children, not the children. This also applies to sexual touching, i.e. if an adult touches or strokes a child’s private parts (genitals, bottom, breasts). Adults can only touch each other in a sexual way if they have the other person’s consent.
Creating, selling, distributing, owning or purchasing pornographic (or sexual) videos or photos with children is punishable by law
No one has the right to convince you or force you to have sex with them.
This applies to your family members, people you know or don’t, whether you love them or not. You always have the right to say “NO”!
Schools against sexual violence
- All of the professionals who supervise you at school are trained to support you when you need help. They must notify the authorities if they think that you are being sexually abused. The police can intervene immediately if you are in imminent danger. The Youth Protection Service of the Public Prosecutor’s Office will then investigate to assess the situation and decide on the necessary measures to protect you.
- Bee Secure gives lots of information and tools to protect you against the risks of online sexual violence, such as grooming or sextorsion, and explains what you should do if you discover any child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
- The « 'Envoie-moi une photo de toi' » (Send me a photo of you) and « 'Nu(e) sur internet' » ‘Nu(e) sur internet’ (Naked online) comics address the dangers of sharing intimate (or sexy) photos, even within a relationship. Even if you share them in confidence, these photos can be used to manipulate or harm you This tactic is called sextortion.
Who can help me if I’m a witness or victim of sexual violence?
To find the people and services that can help you here.
Key takeaways
- Any type of sexual violence or abuse is prohibited.
- No one has the right to talk to you in a sexual way, whether you know them or not, if you don’t want them to.
- If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual violence, you can report it directly to the police or talk to someone you trust.
If you’re a victim of physical violence and you don’t know who to turn to, contact the SePAS (or CePAS), your school’s DPE, or a teacher or teaching assistant that you can trust at school. They will take the necessary steps to help you.
