Sexualized violence

Although girls and women are affected by sexualized violence to a greater extent, assaults against boys and men are also not uncommon. Accordingly, sexualized violence is the second most common reason for contacting the violence against men helpline (after physical violence).

The extent to which boys are victims of sexualized violence has become a matter of public awareness in Germany at the latest since the cases of abuse in church contexts became known. However, the everyday sexual boundary violations that many boys have to endure, whether in the family, at sports clubs or in youth groups, are still a relatively rare topic. As a result, the boys usually remain alone with the violence they have suffered, make "it up" to themselves or end up telling themselves that it was "not that bad" and "not really abuse" - or even that they themselves are "to blame" for the violence they suffered. This makes it almost impossible to really come to terms with the consequences of sexualized violence, which often last a lifetime.

Please contact us if you

• were sexually touched by adult caregivers, other adults or even other children or adolescents during your childhood or adolescence,
• if you were forced to sexually touch other people,
• have received sexualized messages or been forced to watch pornographic material,
• have been forced to be inappropriately close to their mother or father or another person against their will,
• have been exposed to sexually suggestive comments or
• are unsure whether they have been sexually abused.

You can also contact us if you have been or are exposed to sexualized violence as an adult, for example

• because you have been pressured into sexual acts in your partnership or by a casual acquaintance,
• have experienced rape,
• have been exposed to sexualized images or messages via social media,
• have been sexually harassed at your workplace or
• have had sexual acts performed on you under the influence of drugs or knockout drops.sexual acts were carried out under the influence of drugs or knockout drops.

Sexualized violence is not a private matter. Even if the short-term internal reaction to some assaults is one of insecurity rather than a clearly perceptible injury, the longer-term psychological consequences can be quite serious - especially if, due to a shame-ridden silence, no conversation or confrontation with what has happened can take place. Don't give the perpetrator this power over your life! Talk to us and break the silence!