Sexual Assault can be defined as unwanted sexual activity without prior consent or permission. This includes unwanted sexual touching or fondling, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, unwanted sexting, forced sexual acts (eg. oral sex), attempted rape or actual penetration (rape) of the victim.
It is very common for the victim to feel guilty following sexual assault – “maybe my skirt was too short”, “maybe I was too friendly”, “maybe I led him on”, “maybe I got what I deserved”… No, no matter what, it is and should NEVER be considered as the victim’s fault. Nothing one does should warrant unwanted and unconsented sexual assault!
If you’ve experienced sexual assault or you have been recently raped, you can seek the following services through the Mater Dei Hospital Emergency…
Medical Check-Up: includes testing and follow-up for STDs and pregnancy.
Police Intervention: if you would like to report the incident to the police or want to press charges, the police may be dispatched to Mater Dei Hospital so a report can be filed.
Social Work Services: following an assessment in which your experience and situation is discussed, support tailored to your needs will be given. You may also be supported in seeking shelter should it be unsafe for you to go back home.
Therapeutic Services: trauma may affect a person’s quality of life, thus, victims of sexual assault are offered free therapeutic services.
Legal Representation and Consultation: victims are offered free legal services, including free legal consultation regarding the victim’s rights even if charges are not being pressed.
If you have experienced sexual assault, be it recently or in the past, you may also inquire about or access the above mentioned services by contacting Victim Support Malta on 21 228 333 or by email on [email protected]
Read through the heartbreaking #metooMalta stories in which we uncover traumatic sexual assault experiences of real women…
If you have a sexual abuse or harassment story you would like to share in strictest confidence send your story to [email protected]
Claire Galea is a mum of three currently reading for a Degree in Nursing at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, as a mature student. She is keen about holistic patient-centered care as well as public education about health-related subjects, which she frequently writes about on Wham as a Content Writer and Website Editor.
Claire is also passionate about spreading awareness on the negative effects that domestic abuse leaves on its victims’ mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. She is the author of two downloadable ebooks, namely Heal Your Life Forever and 5 Simple Steps To Creating The Life Of Your Dreams.
Click here to check out Claire’s full bio as well as a list of all her Wham published articles
