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Break the Silence

Speak Up About Sexual Violence

Find help in Nova Scotia

What is sexual Violence?

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The World Health Organization (WHO) defines sexual violence as: “any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, or other act directed against a person’s sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting.”

Sexual violence
Sexual violence
Is about exerting
Power and control
Power and control
Over others.

Sexual violence happens in many ways. It may also be known as sexual assault, rape, sexual abuse, incest, or date rape.

Other forms of sexual violence include:

  • Sexual harassment and catcalling
  • Indecent exposure
  • Sexual exploitation and human trafficking
  • Showing or distributing demeaning sexual imagery
  • Online harassment, also known as cyber-violence.

Sexual violence
Can happen
Can happen
To anyone

People of all genders and ages can be subjected to sexual violence. However, women, children — including boys — transgender, and gender non-conforming people are most often targeted. We also know that some people, such as racialized and Indigenous women, women with disabilities, low-income women, women with addictions, young women, and transgender people experience higher rates of sexual violence.