Galileo House ~ Youth Services

Galileo House is a specialist trauma recovery service, with a focus on sexual abuse

Any sexual assault is a crime for which the offender is solely responsible.

Sexual Assault  is an act of violence. It is not about love and affection.

Sexual assault and/or rape include when someone:

• forces you to participate in, or watch pornography

• forces, manipulates or coerces you into having sexual intercourse, or

• shows you any unwanted sexual attention that makes you feel uncomfortable or scared

Date Rape - happens when someone you are going out with (maybe even love and trust) forces or manipulates you into having sex when you don’t want to.

Acquaintance rape - is when a friend or someone you have met, but don't know very well, sexually assaults you.

Coercion – is when someone says things like; “If you loved me you would have sex with me".  “What’s the matter are you frigid or something?”  “Everyone else does this!”  “This is how parents show they love you.”  “If you don’t I’ll find someone who will.”  “What’s the matter with you, can’t you get it up?!”

Incest - is sexual assault by a family member. This may be a parent, sibling, step-parent, uncle or any other family member.

Consent - Consenting to any sexual act depends on a person's ability to understand what the sexual act is, the implications of the sexual behaviour, and on their ability to make an informed choice, without force, manipulation or coercion, about whether or not they want the sexual act to occur.
Sometimes people agree to a sexual act because they are frightened - this is not consent.

Who does sexual assault happen to?

Sexual assault can happen to anyone. It happens to babies, children, adolescents, adults, males and females, young and old. It also happens to people from varying cultural backgrounds and religions, not subject to ability, and regardless of sexual orientation.

Who are the perpetrators?

Perpetrators can be known (eg friends, family) or unknown; persons of any age. Perpetrators of sexual assault include both men and women.

The best ways of helping young people are to:

• Tell them you believe them

• Stress that what happened is not their fault

• Acknowledge how hard it was for them to tell

• Do everything you can to comfort and reassure the young person

• Say you will do everything you can to protect the young person but avoid making promised you may not be able to keep

The aims of the adolescent service are:

• Allowing space for the young person to work through their issues. This process is not worker directed but client facilitated

• To deal with the impact of sexual assault on the family

Click on the cover below to bring up a PDF booklet about healthy relationships for young people.

'Relationships Should be Heaven not Hell'

Click on the cover below to bring up a pamphlet on self harm and what you can do

Head to our Publications page to see many other pamphlets and publications covering sexual assault.