You may feel scared, upset, ashamed or unsure of what to do next

It is not your fault, and you are not to blame. Nobody asks or deserves to be a victim of sexual violence. In some cases you might decide to confide in someone you trust with your experience of sexual violence. Sometimes, this person may not respond in a comforting manner. Sometimes people can make you feel like you are lying or that it was your fault. This can be a traumatic experience. It’s important to know that it is never your fault. There will be many people who do believe you. Reaching out for support from a counsellor or a sexual violence service is very helpful.

As a victim of sexual violence, you have rights under the Charter of Victims’ Rights. This means that people who you talk to from places like the Police, the hospital or support services:

must treat you with respect, courtesy, compassion and dignity
must give you certain information about the investigation and prosecution
must give you information about support, services and remedies available to you.

If the sexual violence happened outside of Queensland, you can find more information here.

Victims' rights
The Charter of Victims’ Rights is a document which outlines the special rights which you have because you are a victim of violent crime.
Government agencies and non-government agencies which receive money from the government must uphold your rights.
You must be treated with courtesy, compassion, respect and dignity.
You will be informed about support services and options available to you.
Your personal information will not be disclosed unless the law says it must or you say that it is okay.
You can complain if your rights aren’t upheld.
You can read the full Charter of Victims’ Rights on our website. Easy-read English and translated versions are also available.
Support
If you are in immediate danger, you should phone Triple Zero (000) or go to the emergency department at your local hospital.
You can also call the Sexual Assault Helpline on 1800 010 120.
The Sexual Assault Helpline is available to call 7.30am to 11.30pm, 7 days a week.
There are many support services that provide specialist support to victims of sexual violence. You can find more information here.
Financial assistance
If you are a victim of a violent offence in Queensland, including sexual assault or domestic and family violence, you are eligible for financial assistance from Victim Assist Queensland.
Before applying for financial assistance, you have to report the violence to police, a doctor, counsellor, psychologist or a domestic violence service.
Financial assistance can help you pay for medical or counselling expenses if you have been injured. It can also help you pay for travel to appointments and recover earnings if you were unable to work because of injuries. You may be eligible for special assistance as well.
You can find more information about applying for financial assistance here
Domestic and family violence
If the person who hurt you was someone you were in a relationship with, a family member, or someone who is caring for you, you might be experiencing domestic or family violence.
Support is available for people experiencing domestic and family violence – you can talk to police or a support service. Police or support services can help you apply for a domestic violence order. A domestic violence order is a legal document. It tells someone not to hurt, threaten, coerce or scare another person they are in a relationship with, or were in a relationship with, or a family member. The order tells someone to follow rules like stay away from another person, or not let children see or hear violence.
More information about domestic violence orders is available here.