The term „sexual violence“ is an all-encompassing term that refers to crimes against freedom and sexual integrity, such as rape, sexual abuse, sexual intercourse with a minor, sexual corruption of minors, recruitment of minors for sexual purposes, and sexual harassment.
Consent is an agreement between participants to engage in a sexual activity. When you’re engaging in a sexual activity, consent is about communication and it should happen every time. Unless it has been expressed verbally by a responsible person, the existence or not of consent is analyzed on a case-by-case basis. From January 1, 2024, the minimum age for the legal expression of consent to sexual activity in Romania is 16 years.
After sexual assault, it’s hard to know how to react. You may be physically hurt, emotionally drained, or unsure of what to do next. Moreover, you may be considering working with the criminal justice system, but are unsure of where to start. Learning more about what steps you can take following sexual violence can help you decide what to do next.
Sexual violence can have psychological, emotional, and physical effects on a survivor. These effects aren’t always easy to deal with, but with the right help and support they can be managed. Learning more can help you find the best form of care to begin the healing process.
You can take an active role in increasing your safety or the safety of those you care about. While there's no way to eliminate the chance that something may happen, there are strategies that may reduce your risk or give you the confidence to step in to prevent a sexual assault.
If you want to talk about sexual violence with a professional ready to help, we are here.
We give voice and power to victims of sexual violence. We see the effects of our interventions in communities facing sexual predators. We approach all cases of sexual violence that come to us with empathy, depth and professionalism.
If you have an urgent question, we encourage you to use our available resources promptly, you can contact us via phone, chat or email.
Help us provide legal aid, psychotherapy and forensic psychological expertise to as many children, witnesses or victims of sex crimes as possible. With your donation, we can provide them with essential support on their road to recovery. Donate right now to our cause.
This platform was developed within the project "Friendly justice for child victims of sexual abuse" with the support of UNICEF Romania.The opinions expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of UNICEF Romania.
If you have an urgent question, we encourage you to use our available resources promptly, you can contact us via phone, chat or email.
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