In Canadian law, the formal term for this offence is sexual assault. Sexual assault includes rape, forced sexual contact, or any sexual touching that you did not agree to.
It is sexual assault even if the person who touches you is:
A person who helps you — for example, caregiver, attendant, interpreter, doctor, therapist
A person you know — for example, boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, neighbour, co-worker, friend
A stranger (person you do not know)
A family member — for example, cousin, brother, father, uncle, mother
No one has the right to touch you if you don’t want. Without permission (consent), it is sexual assault.
You can get in touch with a sexual assault centre in your community. Centres offer support, counselling and information about reporting options (if you are interested in learning more about reporting). All calls are free and confidential.
You can talk to a trusted friend, family member, or other support person.
If you were recently sexually assaulted, you can get medical attention through a Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centre in your community. Services are confidential. It is your decision whether or not you wish to report to the police and provide police with forensic evidence collected. Contact the Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centre in Ontario nearest you.
You can report what happened to the police. Not everyone wishes to formally report what happened to the police. If you don’t want to, that’s okay. If you do, learn more about reporting to the police.
Many people who experience sexual assault are uncertain about if what happened to them was in fact sexual assault — especially if they know the person who harmed them. Many people wait a long time before they begin to talk about their experiences.
Most people who contact a sexual assault centre are reaching out to talk about something that happened to them many days, months or years ago. All the options above are still available to you.
Something happened to me, but I don’t want to report it. Can I still get help?
Yes. You can still get help, even if you are not interested in formally reporting what happened.
In fact, very few victims/survivors disclose to formal supports– such as the police or health care providers – at all. Canadian victimization surveys show that less than 10% of survivors who are sexually assaulted report the assault to the police; other forms of sexual violence, such as harassment, are thought to be significantly under-reported as well[1].
If you don’t wish to report, you are definitely not alone! Support is still available to you. In fact, most people who contact a sexual assault centre get support – such as counselling or information on coping – but never formally report.
[1] The Learning Network. Overcoming Barriers and Enhancing Supportive Responses: The Research on Sexual Violence Against Women A Resource Document. May 2012: 5.
Something happened to my friend/child/family member/partner/someone else I know.
If you know someone who has been sexually violated, there are things you can do to support them.
