LiftHER

Sexual violence is any sexual activity that happens without your consent. This can include rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, or any form of unwanted sexual contact. Sadly, around one in four women in the UK will experience sexual assault or abuse at some point in their lives, making it one of the most common and damaging experiences women and girls can face. The impact often goes far beyond the incident itself, affecting physical health, mental wellbeing, and how someone sees themselves long after it has ended.

How it presents

Sexual violence can take many forms. Rape and attempted rape involve penetration without consent, while sexual assault includes unwanted sexual contact or assault by penetration. Some women experience sexual harassment, coercion, or pressure to engage in sexual activity. Others are subjected to image-based abuse, such as threats to share private photos or videos.

Grooming and online exploitation are increasingly common, affecting both girls and adult women. Harmful cultural practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM), although illegal in the UK, also fall within this category, as do acts of sexual torture. What links all of these experiences is the absence of consent, the misuse of power, and the harm left behind.

The impact

The psychological impact of sexual violence is often profound and long-lasting. Many survivors experience anxiety, depression, flashbacks, panic attacks, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some describe emotional detachment, making it difficult to trust others or feel connected in close relationships.

Silence and stigma can add to the harm, leaving women feeling isolated or doubting themselves. Sexual violence can disrupt education, work, family life, and social connections, with many avoiding places or situations that trigger memories of what happened. Physical effects may include injury, sexually transmitted infections, or long-term reproductive health problems. For many women, the impact reaches into everyday life in ways that are not always visible to others.

The system response

Seeking help after sexual violence can involve navigating complex and distressing systems. Some women attend A&E or a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) for medical care and forensic examination. Others choose to report to the police, where they may be asked to give detailed statements and answer intrusive questions.

If a case progresses, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decides whether it goes to court, and survivors may face cross-examination during legal proceedings. This process can take months or years and is often described as exhausting and emotionally draining. Many women say that engaging with the justice system feels more traumatic than the assault itself. While routes to justice exist, they do not always bring closure or healing.