Abuse

Abuse is never OK!

• You have the right to have control over your body.
   
• You do not have the right to have control over someone else's body.
   
• We all have our own reasons for choosing to do what we do, or don't do.
   
• Whatever our reasons, we have the right to have our choices and decisions respected.

Sexual abuse, rape, sexual assault and date rape are all words for things that happen to people that they didn't want. No one has the right to touch you sexually or make you do something against your will. There is no excuse for behaviour of this kind.

Good relationships are based on mutual respect, trust and affection. A relationship is not good if one person is pressured, or forced into doing something they don't want to do. If someone forces you to have intercourse and you didn't want to - this is rape. Even if you know the person it is still rape. You may even like the person. This is sometimes called date rape.

If something has happened to you that has made you feel bad, and you haven't told anyone, it is important that you do talk to someone about it. Sometimes people who have been abused feel guilty, but it's never their fault.

A close friend or an adult can help you contact one of the organisations that help people who have been sexually abused or raped. You could also talk to a school counsellor, Youthline or someone at an FPA Centre.

Saying yes to sex once doesn't mean you always have to say yes. You can say no at any time and you have the right to have that respected.