Trigger Warning: This article discusses sexual assault, abuse, and trauma. Some content may be distressing for readers. If you’re not in a place to read this right now, please feel free exit this article. Please take care while reading and reach out for support if you need it.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month—a time to reflect, raise awareness, and show support for those impacted by sexual violence.
To mark the month, we’re introducing Chanel, our new Sexual Assault Counsellor here at Desert Blue Connect. Chanel recently joined the team and brings warmth, experience, and a strong trauma-informed approach to her work.
In this Q&A, she talks about what sexual assault can look like, how it can affect someone, and how we can all play a role in creating safer, more supportive communities.
Whether you’re looking for support, wanting to better understand the issue, or thinking about how you can help—this is a valuable conversation to be part of.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your role at Desert Blue Connect?
Hi, I’m Chanel, a qualified Social Worker with six years of experience in the out-of-home care sector in Melbourne. I recently made the move to Jambinu (Geraldton) and have been here for about six weeks. I’m now working as the Sexual Assault Counsellor at Desert Blue Connect (DBC).
My role is centred around creating a safe and supportive space for people who have experienced sexual assault. I believe that healing begins with feeling safe and being heard, so my first priority is building a trusting relationship where clients feel in control—of the pace, the conversation, and the environment.
Therapeutic support isn’t one-size-fits-all. For some, it might involve developing tools to manage emotions and navigate the impacts of trauma. For others, it may include more structured approaches like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) or CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). And sometimes, it’s simply about having a space where someone feels truly heard, validated, and believed.
What is sexual assault and abuse, and how can it impact someone?
In Western Australia (WA), sexual abuse refers to any unwanted sexual act or behaviour that is forced or coerced. This can look different depending on the situation, and sometimes, no physical contact is involved at all.
Here’s what different forms of sexual abuse can look like:
- Sexual Assault: Any unwanted sexual touching or penetration, including things like indecent assault and rape.
- Rape: Rape is when someone forces another person to have sex without their consent. This can include situations where a person can’t give consent because they’re drunk, unconscious, or underage.
- Indecent Assault: This involves unwanted sexual contact, like groping or touching someone in a sexual way without their permission.
- Child Sexual Abuse: This includes any sexual act done to someone under the age of 16. It can also involve things like exploiting a child, making child pornography, or showing a child inappropriate sexual material like pornography.
- Coercion and Exploitation: This refers to being pressured, forced, or manipulated into sexual acts, often using threats, power, or other forms of control.
- Sexual Harassment: This is when someone makes unwelcome sexual advances or behaves in a sexually inappropriate way, often in places like work or school.
It’s also important to understand consent and that it can be withdrawn at any time—even in the middle of a sexual interaction. Here are a couple of simple ways I like to discuss consent:
- The FRIES acronym outlines the key elements of consent:
- Freely given
- Reversible (and reciprocal)
- Informed
- Enthusiastic
- Specific
Another analogy I like to use involves something as simple as a white t-shirt. Imagine your best friend asks to borrow your favourite white t-shirt, and you happily agree—this is an example of freely given and enthusiastic consent.
Now, let’s say your friend didn’t mention they were planning to wear the shirt on a camping trip where it could get muddy or ruined. That missing information means your consent wasn’t fully informed. Once you learn more and have a conversation about it, your friend clearly explains how they intend to use the shirt—now you have all the facts, and your consent becomes informed.
But then, after thinking it over, you change your mind and decide not to lend it out after all—that’s the reversible part. You’re allowed to change your mind at any point, even after initially saying yes. Consent is about ongoing, open communication and respect, and it should never be assumed or taken for granted.
What are some common myths about sexual assault that might stop people from seeking support?
“Sexual assault is always committed by strangers.”
“If someone doesn’t fight back, it wasn’t really sexual assault.”
“Victims of sexual assault should immediately report it.”
“If the victim is intoxicated, they were asking for it.”
“Men can’t be sexually assaulted.”
“Only violent sexual assaults are considered assault.”
“It’s only sexual assault if someone was physically touched.”
How can experiencing sexual violence affect someone, both in the short term and over time?
Sexual assault and the ways people respond to it can be incredibly complex and varied. It’s important to understand that all responses are valid—there is no “right” or “wrong” way to react to trauma.
People may experience a wide range of emotional, psychological, and physical responses. These can include fear, hypervigilance, anger, depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, or feeling constantly on edge. Some people might withdraw socially, avoid being alone, or isolate themselves entirely. Others may experience numbness, shock, or a sense of disconnection from their body and mind.
In some cases, responses might also include self-harming behaviours, the development of eating disorders or personality disorders, or an increase in substance use as a way of coping. Changes in personal hygiene, or actions intended to deter contact with others—such as defecating in inappropriate places—can also be part of a trauma response. For some, there may be an increase in sexual behaviour or expressions of sexuality as a way of taking back control. And some people may have a combination of several of the responses discussed.
Each of these responses is a reflection of how the body and mind are trying to process something deeply distressing. Validating these experiences without judgment is a vital part of supporting someone who has been impacted by sexual assault.
How can friends and family show up for a survivor in a way that feels safe and truly supportive?
The first and most important thing you can do for someone who discloses a sexual assault is believe them and validate their experience. Not being believed—or having your experience questioned or dismissed—can sometimes be more damaging than the assault itself.
It’s essential to hold space with empathy, without minimising or catastrophising the situation. Let the person lead in the conversation. Ask what they need and how you can support them, rather than assuming or trying to “fix things”.
Avoid jumping into problem-solving unless they specifically ask for that kind of help. Often, people need time to process what has happened before they can begin to think clearly about what steps they want to take next.
Try not to pressure into reporting to police or attending counselling. Instead, focus on helping them access all the information they might need to make an informed decision—in their own time.
Be mindful that physical touch can be triggering after a sexual assault. Even comforting gestures like a hug or holding hands can feel overwhelming. Always ask for permission first, and always respect their boundaries.
Lastly, try to avoid making comments or judgements about how someone is coping. Everyone responds to trauma differently, and all responses are valid. If you’re feeling worried about them, it’s okay to gently express concern—but do so without judgment or pressure. Your presence, belief, and willingness to listen can make all the difference.
What can communities do to prevent sexual violence and create safer spaces for everyone?
Stopping sexual assault and making our communities safer is something we all have a part in—and it starts early, from the moment a child is born. We need to think about the messages we’re sending around things like gender, power, respect, and what kind of behaviour is okay or not okay.
The things we hear growing up—like “boys will be boys” or jokes that minimise the importance of consent—may seem small, but they actually play a big role in shaping how people treat one another. They help create a culture where some types of violence or disrespect are ignored or accepted.
If we want things to change, we need to speak up when someone says or does something inappropriate. This doesn’t mean attacking or embarrassing them—it means having a calm, respectful conversation that helps them understand why their words or actions might be hurtful. People are more open to learning when they don’t feel judged or attacked.
A big part of the problem is simply not knowing better. Ignorance often leads to harmful behaviour, and the best way to change that is through education—teaching people how to treat each other with respect, how to recognise harm, and how to do better.
It’s also crucial to understand the connection between sexual violence and domestic and family violence (DFV). These issues are often deeply intertwined. Consent is not something that disappears in a relationship or marriage—it must be present in every interaction, no matter the context.
We also know that children who are exposed to DFV are at greater risk of either experiencing or perpetrating sexual violence later in life. Protecting and educating our children—modelling respectful, equal relationships and teaching them about consent from a young age—is one of the most powerful ways we can build a safer future.
Creating safety and preventing violence isn’t just a task for individuals—it’s a community commitment. It’s about the culture we create, the standards we uphold, and the actions we choose to take—every day.
For someone who has experienced sexual abuse, what would you say to them?
It is never your fault. Your experience and emotions and responses are valid. You are not alone. You decide what happens next and we are here for you whenever you’re ready.
Local & Statewide Support Services for Sexual Assault Survivors (Geraldton, Western Australia)
Emergency or Immediate Danger
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000 for Police, Ambulance, or Fire services.
You can also present to Geraldton Regional Hospital Emergency Department for urgent medical care following sexual assault.
Local Services
Desert Blue Connect – Sexual Assault Crisis Line
A free, confidential 24/7 support line for those affected by sexual violence and in crisis.
Phone: 1800 016 789
Desert Blue Connect – Sexual Assault Counselling
Professional counselling for people who have experienced recent or historic sexual assault.
Phone: 08 9964 2742
Website: desertblueconnect.org.au
Statewide & National Services
13 Yarn – Crisis Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
A culturally safe 24/7 phone support service.
Phone: 13 92 76
Website: 13yarn.org.au
Kids Helpline
24/7 counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.
Phone: 1800 55 1800
Website: kidshelpline.com.au
SHQ Counselling & Psychological Services
Specialist counselling for sexual and reproductive health, including trauma counselling.
Phone: 08 9228 3693
Website: shq.org.au
1800RESPECT – National Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service
24/7 confidential counselling, information and support.
Phone: 1800 737 732
Website: 1800respect.org.au
Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC)
24/7 forensic and counselling support for recent sexual assault.
Crisis Line: 08 6458 1828
Website: kemh.health.wa.gov.au/SARC