Learning About Sexual Assault: Here's what you need to know.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This commemoration month was launched by the National Sexual Violence Resource Centre – which aims to raise awareness and prevent sexual assault, harassment, and abuse. More than 370 million girls and women have experienced rape or sexual assault before the age of 18, with 1 in 11 men and boys having faced similar experiences in childhood. In South Africa, sexual assault comprises 60% of reported crimes, and in 2023 rape was the most reported crime against children, comprising 38,3% of all cases involving minors. These alarming statistics demonstrate how crucial it is to understand how to identify sexual assault, report it, and raise awareness to prevent it. It also necessitates broader interventions at legislative and policy implementation level that can meaningfully respond to violence in South Africa.

The mmoho campaign of Ibis Reproductive Health operates a reproductive health helpline that offers sexual assault information and resources, and it provides primary counselling services. If you are in South Africa and want to find the nearest trauma support service, call the mmoho Sexual and Reproductive Health Helpline from Monday to Thursday between 9:00 and 20:00, and on Friday to Saturday between 9:00 and 17:00 at +2780 001 4597.

AMAZE Africa is also a great resource of animated videosthat provide useful information about all your reproductive health needs, including personal safety and sexual abuse. Watch this full playlist of personal safety videos here.

What is sexual assault?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes sexual assault (or violence) as “any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, or other act directed against a person’s sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting”. In South Africa, the Sexual Offences Amendment Act (SOAA) defines sexual assault as the act of sexually violating another person without their consent.

Some forms of sexual assault include, but are not limited to:

• Attempted rape

• Unwanted sexual touching (fondling)

• Forcing a victim to perform sexual acts

• Penetration of the victim’s body (rape)

Other forms of sexual assault include:

• Sexual exploitation and trafficking

• Exposing one’s genitals or naked body to others (s) without consent

• Masturbating in public

• Watching someone engage in private acts without their knowledge or permission

• Nonconsensual image sharing

How to support a survivor of sexual assault:

If you know someone who has experienced sexual assault, it is vital to offer them the needed support and care. Here are some steps you can take:

Know your resources

If you have been affected by sexual assault, it is not your fault. It is also important to connect with people you feel safe around so that you are not alone. Remember help is always available.

This booklet titled "Victims of Rape and Other Sexual Crimes" includes a list with contact details of centres and shelters that provide support services to survivors of sexual violence.

Organisations supporting survivors of violence:

Organisation	Website	Phone number
Thuthuzela Care Centres	www.gov.za/TCC	bit.ly/4lHvBon
People Opposed to Women Abuse (POWA)	www.powa.co.za/	011 484 3195
Childline South Africa	www.childlinesa.org.za/	116
Families South Africa (FAMSA)	www.famsaorg.mzansiitsolutions.co.za/	084 563 7173
Tears Foundation	www.tears.co.za/	08000 83277
The Trauma Centre	www.traumacentre.org.za	021 465 7373