Sexual Assault Awareness Month is observed each April. It serves as a reminder of the importance of speaking up, breaking the silence, and taking action against sexual assault. It’s also a crucial platform to shed light on the causes, risk factors, and prevention strategies individuals can take.

Sexual assault knows no boundaries. It doesn’t discriminate based on gender, age, race, or social status. It can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. Understanding the root causes and risk factors are essential in our collective efforts to prevent it as a society.

Societal attitudes and misunderstandings about gender and sexuality contribute to the normalisation of sexual violence. Toxic masculinity spreads the notion that aggression and dominance are natural traits of manhood, while victim-blaming attitudes place the burden of responsibility on the survivors rather than the abusers.

Additionally, one of the primary causes of sexual assault lies in the imbalance of power. Abusers often exploit their positions of authority, trust, or physical strength to establish control over their victims. Whether it’s in the workplace, educational institutions, or within personal relationships.

An international report from 2022, found that almost a third of disabled children and teenagers faced emotional and physical abuse, whilst 1 in 10 experienced sexual violence. The report, published by The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal, involved more than 16 million young people from 25 countries (including the UK), and was conducted between 1990 and 2020.

In a recent blog from our annual MCA conference, our Court of Protection team explored the complexities in assessing sexual capacity. Read more here.

So, what can we do to prevent sexual assault and create a safer environment for everyone?

1.    Talk to children about staying safe and what is not ok:

Education is key. We must educate ourselves and others about consent, boundaries, and healthy relationships from an early age. Teaching respect, empathy, and communication skills can help foster a culture of mutual respect and understanding.

Whilst it is important to teach children how to protect themselves, it is also important to teach them what abuse looks like so that they know what is right and wrong from an early age.

The PANTS rule is a simple way of teaching children about consent.

2.    Teach children about online safety:

Encourage children to be transparent about their online activity and teach them about the potential risks. We have pulled together an internet safety guide that you can read here .

3.    Talk to children about gangs:

As well as criminal exploitation, children may also be subjected to grooming, physical abuse, sexual abuse and trafficking.

It is vital that your child feels they are able to talk to you or another trusted adult. Teach them about coping with pressure and how to act without using violence.

4.    Teach children about reporting abuse:

-       call 999 if the child is at immediate risk or call 101 if you think a crime has been committed.

-       call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.

-       call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000.

We often find that children don’t report the abuse that they have suffered for many years, often spanning into adulthood. Survivors of abuse often feel judged, guilt, shame and embarrassment. They often feel that the abuse was, in part, their fault. Many survivors are afraid of their abusers or, in certain cases, may care for their abusers (such as family members). It’s really important to seek professional support early if you are worried that your child may have suffered abuse so that the right treatment (such as therapy) can be organised as soon as possible.

The solicitors at Switalskis can help you to take action against sexual assault and determine whether or not you can claim compensation. For a confidential conversation about your situation with a member of our empathetic, understanding team, call us today on 01924 882000 or email us at amy.clowrey@switalskis.com .