Understanding Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault and Rape

---

We believe everyone deserves to live free from abuse, fear and coercion.
Sexual abuse, sexual assault and rape are serious crimes that can deeply affect a person’s emotional, physical and mental wellbeing. They can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, background or circumstance.

This page explains what these terms mean under UK law, how they differ, and how you can access support and current legislation.

Sexual abuse is any kind of sexual activity or behaviour that happens without consent or where someone is manipulated, pressured or forced into sexual acts.

It includes both contact and non-contact forms of abuse:

• Contact abuse: unwanted touching, kissing, groping or forcing someone to take part in sexual acts.
• Non-contact abuse: exposing someone to sexual acts, sharing sexual images, or grooming online.

For children and young people, sexual abuse includes any sexual activity they do not understand, cannot consent to, or are pressured or coerced into.

Lack of physical injury does not mean that abuse has not taken place.
The responsibility always lies with the abuser — never the survivor.

Source: NSPCC – Child Sexual Abuse

Under Section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, sexual assault occurs when:

“A person intentionally touches another person sexually, without that person’s consent, and without a reasonable belief that they consent.”

Examples of sexual assault include:

• Unwanted sexual touching or groping (even through clothing)
• Forcing or coercing someone to touch you or another person sexually

Consent means that someone agrees by choice and has the freedom and capacity to make that choice.
If someone is asleep, unconscious, intoxicated, frightened or pressured, they cannot legally consent.

Maximum penalty: up to 10 years imprisonment.

Read more: Rape Crisis England & Wales – Sexual Assault

Rape is defined under Section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
It happens when:

A person intentionally penetrates another person’s vagina, anus or mouth with a penis, without consent and without reasonable belief in consent.

Rape specifically involves penile penetration.
Other types of penetration (for example, using a body part or object) are covered by the offence of assault by penetration(Section 2 of the same Act), which carries the same maximum penalty.

Maximum penalty: life imprisonment.

Legal reference: Sexual Offences Act 2003 – Section 1

Consent is at the heart of every sexual offence.
Under UK law, consent means:

“A person agrees by choice and has the freedom and capacity to make that choice.”

There is no consent if someone is:

• Asleep, unconscious or incapacitated
• Under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Scared, threatened or manipulated
• Under the age of 16 (in most circumstances)

Even if someone initially says yes, they have the right to withdraw consent at any time.

Learn more: CPS Guidance – Rape & Sexual Offences

Children cannot legally consent to sexual activity.
Sexual offences against children and young people include grooming, exploitation and online abuse. These crimes are treated with particular seriousness under UK law.

If you are worried about a child, you can contact:

• NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
• Childline (under 19s): 0800 1111

If you have experienced sexual abuse, assault or rape — you are not to blame. What happened to you was not your fault.

At Survivors Support Counselling Service, we offer a safe, confidential and understanding space where you can talk about what happened, explore how it has affected you, and begin your journey towards healing.

You have options, including:

• Reporting the crime to the police
• Attending a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) for forensic or medical support
• Accessing counselling or emotional support at your own pace

You do not have to face this alone.

Support services available:

• Rape Crisis England & Wales – 24/7 helpline and local centres
• NHS Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) – free forensic and medical care
• Victim Support – independent support after any crime

• Sexual Offences Act 2003 – defines rape, sexual assault and related offences.
• Crown Prosecution Service – Rape and Sexual Offences: Key Legislation – explains how the law is applied.
• NSPCC – Types of Sexual Abuse – information for offences involving children.

At Survivors Support Counselling Service, we are committed to helping individuals rebuild safety, trust and confidence after experiences of sexual abuse or assault.
Our counsellors are specially trained in trauma-informed practice and will always work at your pace, respecting your boundaries and choices.

You deserve to feel heard, believed and supported.
Help is available — whenever you are ready.

To make a confidential enquiry or book counselling, please contact us directly at Enquiries@survivors-support.co.uk