WHAT IS SEXUAL ABUSE?
Sexual abuse is when someone touches you or makes you touch them in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable. Sexual abuse doesn't always mean touching. Forcing someone to look at naked people or at photos or movies of people having sex is also abuse. Sexual abuse may make you feel scared or make you have a funny feeling in your tummy.

An abuser may say things like:

• It's normal
• I'll hurt you or your family if you tell
• It feels good
• It's a secret
• It's OK
• It's your fault

Do not listen to what your abuser tells you. It is never OK for someone to hurt you. It is not your fault.

WHAT DOES AN ABUSER LOOK LIKE?
Anyone who hurts you or touches you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable is abusing you. Abusers are not always strangers. Abusers can be a parent, step-parent, relative, friend, babysitter, neighbour, teacher or coach. Abusers can by boys or girls or men or women. They can be young or old. You may like or even love your abuser. It is still abuse and it needs to stop.

SEXUAL ABUSE AND THE INTERNET
It is important that you only use the Internet when your parent or a trusted adult is with you. You should only talk online with people you know in-person. If a stranger tries to talk to you online, shut the computer off and tell a grown-up that you trust. If someone sends you a photo or video of naked people or people having sex, walk away from the computer and tell an adult you trust right away.

Watch the BE NET AWARE VIDEO.

WHAT YOU CAN DO
Tell someone right away. Tell a grown-up you trust. Think about telling a parent, grandparent, teacher, coach or someone else you trust.

What should I tell them?

• Someone has touched me
• I need your help
• Something has happened to me
• I'm scared

Remember, it is not your fault. Being brave and telling is sometimes hard. It takes a lot of courage to tell someone about what has happened to you. Keep telling someone until the abuse stops. Don't give up.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ME?
After you tell an adult, the police will be called. The police officer is your friend and is there to help you. The police will ask you some questions about what happened to you. All you have to do is tell the truth. The police will make sure the abuse stops and that you are safe.