Sexual Assault Helpline

Our specialist experienced counsellors will listen and believe you. They will support you while you decide what to do next which could include reporting the sexual assault if this is what you want to do.

Reporting the crime

In Queensland, there are two ways you can report the crime to Police if this is what you are wanting to do:

1. Formally reporting the crime

If you wish to make a formal report to Police in person, the Police will investigate what happened to you.

If the assault occurred within 72 hours, try to avoid showering or disposing of clothing that you were wearing during the attack so that a forensic examination can occur and evidence can be collected for the Police investigation.

2. Reporting the crime anonymously

If you wish to report what happened to you anonymously, the Police will not proceed with an investigation but your report may be of assistance to the Police in investigating other crimes. Find out more about the Queensland Police Service Alternative Report Option for making an anonymous report here.

The choice is up to you in whether you make a formal report, an anonymous report or no report to Police. Just know that when you are ready to speak to someone, you can call the Sexual Assault Helpline on 1800 010 120 to help you decide what to do next or to talk about what you’re going through.

Sexual assault can happen to anyone and it is never your fault. A rapist chooses to use sexual violence and abuse and there is nothing you could have done to prevent it.

People who use sexual violence can be:

• Partners including, boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands or wives
• Exes including, ex-boyfriends, ex-girlfriends, ex-partners, ex-husbands or ex-wives
• Carers or paid support workers
• Parents, guardians or other family members
• Casual sex partners
• Friends
• Other people you live with or see often, whether inside or outside the home
• Someone you know but aren’t close to, like a neighbour, boss, or friend of a friend
• Strangers

Sexual assault is never okay or excusable and it is everyone’s responsibility to understand consent and practice it. Consent is easy. To speak with someone about your experience, call our Sexual Assault Helpline on 1800 010 120. You can choose to be anonymous.

Sexual assault can happen to anyone and often adults and young people can feel a range of emotions. Everyone responds differently and there is no right or wrong way to feel after a sexual assault or sexual abuse.

You may feel:

• Startled or on high alert
• Numb
• Angry
• Upset
• Unclean
• Alone
• Unsafe
• Like you can’t trust people anymore

You may experience:

• Restlessness or have difficulty sleeping
• Headaches, nausea, dizziness or memory loss
• Fidgeting or struggle to concentrate
• A blank or racing mind
• Flashbacks

The Sexual Assault Helpline team can reassure you that feeling any of the things listed above is completely normal after experiencing sexual assault. We are here to talk when you are ready.

It is everyone’s responsibility to understand consent and practice it. Consent is more than a once-off ‘yes’ or ‘no’. You are allowed to withdraw your consent and just because you have consented to something in the past, doesn’t mean you have given consent for it to happen again. Consent has to be enthusiastic, freely given and continuously sought.

Watch this short video explaining consent with a simple tea analogy.