It does not matter how long ago you were raped, sexually abused or sexually assaulted. We're here for you regardless of when it happened. 

Whether you were an adult and/or a child when it happened, rape and sexual violence can have big impacts on your health, life and relationships and a number of these can last an extended time.

For example, you might:

• Have depression, anxiety, panic attacks or phobias.
• Feel angry, ashamed, sad, worthless or scared.
• Cry often, or find it difficult to feel or show emotion.
• Suffer from disturbing and intrusive thoughts and memories.
• Have unexplained physical symptoms, including pain and illness.
• Feel like you get relief by harming yourself - maybe by cutting, burning, neglecting your needs and health, or drinking and smoking excessively.

You might also find that certain things trigger vivid memories of what happened to you. You might even feel as if you are going through it again.  Find out more about flashbacks and triggers.

Whether some of these things happen to you or not - or whether you live with other effects of sexual violence not listed here - your experience is real, valid and yours. There's no right or wrong way to be or feel, and you're not alone.

It's not unusual to require support around sexual violence that happened a while ago. Some people go years or maybe decades before they talk about it.

You can also find information about your local Rape Crisis Centre and how they can help you.

If you want to report to the police, you still can but it's completely up to you; no-one else should tell you what to do.

The Ministry of Justice has developed a website to help support victim-survivors of sexual violence through the court process.

The website includes information on telling the Police and the investigation process including the medical examination. A downloadable court process diagram is also available as well as videos about the roles of people in court.

The website recognises that people will need information at different times and provides plain-language explanations of processes and legal terms. By equipping them and their family, whānau and supporters with this information, we hope to reduce the stress associated with going through the court system.

To find out more visit sexualviolence.victimsinfo.govt.nz

Have you been raped, sexually assaulted or sexually abused recently? You are not alone. We are here for you.

You may be feeling scared, confused, shocked, numb, or angry. There's no right or wrong way to feel.  

If something has just happened to you:

• Try to go somewhere that feels safe for you
• Stay warm (you might be in shock)
• See a friend or someone
• Tell someone you trust what happened

If you don’t want to tell a friend or family/whanau member yet contact us or the Helpline - Safe to Talk.  

However, you are feeling, just remember this is not your fault and you are not alone.

If you're in danger or you need urgent medical attention, call 111 to talk to the Police or ring an ambulance or go straight to your nearest Accident & Emergency (A&E).

It's up to you whether or to not to make a report to the Police. No-one else can or should make that choice for you. For your information, this is what happens when you contact the Police. 

If you make a report to the Police, a doctor will perform a checkup to gather any forensic evidence like DNA from hair or body fluids.

If you are unsure yet whether you would like to make a report to the Police but think you might at some point, go to our nearest Sexual Abuse Clinic where a doctor can undertake a medical examination to gather forensic evidence for the future.

If you do want forensic evidence to be collected, attempt to attend the Sexual Abuse Clinic or Police as soon as you can and within 72 hours if possible.

If you would like forensic evidence to be collected, try not to:

• eat or drink
• smoke
• wash
• brush your teeth
• change your clothes
• pack up the place where it happened.

This is to preserve the maximum amount of evidence as possible.

If you have already done these things don’t be concerned as there might still be forensic evidence to gather. If you are going to change your clothes, put the clothes you were wearing into a clean bag without washing them.

It might be difficult to believe immediately, but if you have been raped, you could be at risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or pregnancy. We can support you with this.

We can help and support you. You can go to our local medical centre that specialises in sexual abuse -  Atawhai Clinic or you can go to the Police.

The first time you meet the counsellor, they will undertake an initial assessment to find out what has brought you to counselling at this time and to figure out an effective way to help you. The counsellor will be looking at what your needs are and measuring it with their skills and experience to make sure that they can put your welfare first. Your safety and well-being is their top priority. During this session, the counsellor may ask you to complete some paperwork, and they will provide you with information about the agencies counselling policies.

During this time, assess your counsellor. Do you like them? Do you feel that you can spend time with this counsellor and be able to trust them with your personal problems? Are they able to meet your cultural needs?

Next, you and the counsellor will discuss different options to address your problems and help you feel better. This will include setting goals for your counselling.  

You and the counsellor will then schedule in appointment times.