Women's Concerns

Everyone has the right to live free of unwanted attention, harassment and abuse. You have this right, whoever you are, whatever your race, background, religion or sexuality, and however you dress or act. No-one has the right to interfere with this, whether they are strangers, colleagues, friends, acquaintances or family.

Minor sexual assault

• This is more likely to happen in crowded places. It includes being touched or rubbed against.
• It can be hard to know who is doing this, so it is often easier to move away, if this is possible. Try to move to where there are other women.
• If you feel confident to do so, a stern “take your hands off me” may make the person stop. This will also alert other people to their behaviour.

Sexual assault and rape

• Despite popular beliefs, rape by a stranger is very uncommon.
• Sexual assault and rape are more likely to happen in less busy areas You can reduce the risk of this type of attack by following the general guidance earlier in this section.

• If you are attacked, you must decide whether to defend yourself, which may put you at risk of further injury. Or it may not be possible to defend yourself. Either way, you did not ask to be raped. It is not your fault. You did not deserve it.
• If you have been raped, you may or may not want to report to the police, or to see a nurse or counsellor.

The police are specially trained to work with women who have been sexually assaulted. You will be able to talk to a female police officer and to a female doctor or nurse if you go to hospital.

If you want to report the crime straightaway, whether you g medical help or go straight to the police, try not to wash or change your clothes. If you want to report the crime at a later date, this is okay too.

If you know someone who has been raped, try to be supportive, but do not be judgmental. It is up to them what they do now.