Sexual Assault against women and young girls happens in semi-public places and often behind closed doors. The resulting loss of self-esteem and confidence can be more crippling than the physical injury. If you have been sexually assaulted you may feel ashamed, guility, depressed, angry, voiceless. This is natural, but silence is not a solution or even an option.
Counselling and healing are important to help you tend your bruised shaken self and move on.
Legal options are available, especially to women to protect themselves against sexual violations, including rape. Choose not to remain silent.

Too many of us have sexual experiences or relationships which are abusive, painful and humiliating. Sexual Violence, either a one-time assault or protracted abuse, damages our concept of sexual intimacy, trust and sometimes, even of our own body.

Women and girls are common victims of such abuse, though boys and men face sexual assaults too. The conspiracy of secrecy and shame attached to sexual violence allows us neither to forget nor break the silence.

What is Sexual Assault?

You have been sexually assaulted if, against your will, you have been:
Kissed
Fondled/caressed
Forced to have sexual intercourse
Sexually violated through anal or oral intercourse Penetrated with a foreign object

Sexual Violence can take a number of forms

Rape is the most extreme form of Sexual Violence. It exists across geographical, cultural, and economic boundaries. Rape is the most vicious invasion and objectification of a human being. A rapist violates not only the person raped, but the very code of civilised society. RAPE IS A CRIME AGAINST ALL OF US.

Another common form of Sexual Violence is Sexual Harassment at the Workplace

In the words of the Supreme Court of India, Sexual Harassment constitutes a serious violation of our fundamental rights to freedom and equality at the workplace. Sexual Harassment is gender-discriminatory behaviour, and a denial of our Constitutional Rights. However, it is a part of today's reality of being a career woman. In 1997 the SC issued guidelines against Sexual Harassment for both the public and the private sector.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS, ENFORCE THEM,
FIGHT FOR A NON-DISCRIMINATORY WORKPLACE.

The legal guidelines issued by the SC define Sexual Harassment as
- unwelcome physical contact or advances
- demand or request for sexual favours
- sexually suggestive remarks
- display of pornography
- any other physical, verbal, or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature.

Harassment will not go away if you ignore it.
You have a responsibility to seek justice. For more information write to us at ifsha@vsnl.com

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