Adult Sexual Assault fact sheet - Find Legal Answers

Reporting a recentsexual assaultPolice and health services are specially trainedto help if you want to report a sexual assault.If a sexual assault just happened try not tochange your clothes, comb your hair or wash,until you’ve spoken to Police or a healthservice - it’s important to keep evidence of theassault.If you’re not happy about what the Police orthe health service has done, get legal adviceabout making a complaint.Numbers you can call:NSW Rape Crisis1800 424 017 (24/7 + FREE) or(02) 9819 6565Victim Access Line1800 633 063 (24/7 + FREE)Police 000 (triple zero) (24/7 + FREE)Lifeline 13 11 14 (24/7 + FREE)Wirringa Baiya AboriginalWomen’s Legal Centre1800 686 587 (FREE) or(02) 9569 3847fact sheet 8ADULTSEXUALASSAULTAlways remember:NO means NO!Nobody ever deserves to besexually assaulted!It is never yourfault!Don’t be shame,speak up!You deserve to behappy and safe!This Factsheet was produced by Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre(WBAWLC) and is only meant as a guide to NSW law and cannot replace legaladvice. If you have a legal problem you should speak to a solicitor for some legaladvice. WBAWLC excludes liability for any loss suffered by any person which resultsfrom the use of or reliance upon the information contained in this Factsheet.© WBAWLC 2011Factsheets reprinted with funding from theNSW Crime Prevention Division of the Department of Justice and Attorney-General.Cover art: Jade Quaylewww.wirringabaiya.org.auWarning!The stuff is pretty full-on!But it’s really importantto know!

fact sheet 8ADULT SEXUAL ASSAULTThis factsheet is for anyone 16 yearsand over.If you’re 15 years and under, youshould read the factsheet called‘Bad secrets: Info for children aboutbeing safe’.Sexual assault is a crime, it’sagainst the law!Sexual assault is about ‘consent’, which is a legalword for ‘agree’. The age of consent in NSW is16 years old. The law says people 15 years orunder CANNOT consent to sex.What is sexual assault?Sexual assault is when there’s NO consent andsomeone:55shows you their bum, penis, breasts or vaginafilms you in a sexual waytouches you on the bum, breasts, vagina orother parts of your body or makes you touchthemhas sex with you, including putting a penis,finger or other object in your body(including oral and anal sex)Telling people5 5It’s very important that you talk to someone ifyou’ve been sexually assaulted.Find people to support you.Some people might not want to believe it happenedor get involved, or think that it matters.Always remember that it did happen and it doesmatter.Remember it is NEVER your fault.You deserve to be supported andheard.Who does it happen to?Sexual assault can happen to anybody.Very often people who are sexually assaulted know theoffender.The offender may be a friend, a boyfriend, someoneyou know socially, someone from work, school orsomeone in your family.If you’ve been sexuallyassaulted:5 5find a safe place as soon as possibletalk to someonecall the Rape Crisis Centre on 1800 424 017 forhelp or get someone else to call for youcall the Police on 000get some legal advice about your rightsContact a hospital or asexual assault service toget help with:55 5medical careemergency contraception (like the ‘morningafter’ pill)testing for sexually transmitted infections anddiseases (STIs)contacting the Policeinformation on sexual assault and your rights asa victim of crime.Turn over...