My body belongs to me

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What you can do about sexual violation

Remember, one reason why family violence is so common is because it's kept secret and not discussed. So talk about it. In your class, with your friends, your teacher, your family. If you're being abused, these magazines will help you to stop it. If you're not, by reading this information, you'll be looking after yourself for the future. And you'll be helping other young people.

You'd think it never happened in Australia.

Sexual Abuse affects the lives of thousands of people every year.

SEXUAL ABUSE is a term we use to describe different things: it happens when someone, usually an older person, uses their authority over a younger person or child to involve the child in sexual activity. If you are being touched by an adult in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable or creepy, it could be a form of sexual abuse.

We know that most of the time, cuddling feels really good, and everyone needs this sort of contact. Like when your mum or dad gives you a hug after you get home after school, or your best friend puts their arms around you.

When you listen to your feelings and what your body is telling you, you know the difference between touching that you like and touching that you don't. When your body tenses, or you get an awful feeling in your stomach, or you feel like pulling away, this is a warning. It's time to protect yourself.

If you are touched in a sexual way by an older person and you haven't agreed to it, this is a form of sexual abuse. The older person involved is likely to be a man; a relative or friend of the family, who does this to you in your own home or some place you know well. Because he's older than you, and you've been brought up to trust and respect older people, and to do as you're told, it is very difficult for you to know what to do.

He might try to kiss you, or stroke your thighs and try to put his fingers in your vagina or anus. He might rub his body against you or force you to rub or suck his penis. If it's a boy who is being sexually molested, the man might also try to touch the boy's penis, or try to put his penis into the boy's anus. Boys who are sexually assaulted or raped sometimes worry that they might become homosexual as a result of the abuse. Sexual abuse does not make boys become homosexual.

Sexual abuse might only happen to a young person once, or it may occur over a period of months or years. Girls and boys of all ages are sexually assaulted and victims are often toddlers and young children.

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Disclaimer Copyright Updated: 13 Aug 2009