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Sexual assault is never your fault. Let's talk about what you can do next.
It doesn't matter where you were, what you were wearing, whether you'd been drinking, or whether you knew the person. If it happened without your consent, it was assault β€” and none of it is on you.
Okay. Now let's talk about what you actually need to know, and what your options are from here.

What does the law say?

In Canada, sexual assault is defined in the Criminal Code as any unwanted sexual act done to another person without their consent. It covers a wide range of experiences (from unwanted touching to rape) and is categorized into three levels:

Level 1
Unwanted sexual touching or contact. No weapon, minor or no physical injury. This is the most commonly charged level.
Level 2
Sexual assault with a weapon, bodily harm, or threats.
Level 3
Sexual assault causing severe injury, or where your life was endangered.

Whatever level your experience falls under, it matters. And you have options.

Still wondering if what happened to you "counts"?

If someone did something sexual to you without your enthusiastic, ongoing, freely given consent β€” that's sexual assault under Canadian law. The law doesn't require you to have fought back. It doesn't require physical injury. It doesn't matter if you froze. Your experience is valid.

Your rights β€” yes, you have rights.

Under Canada's Victims Bill of Rights, you have five legal rights as a survivor. A lot of people don't know this, because the system isn't always great at making sure you do. So here they are, in plain language:

The Right to Information
You're allowed to know what's happening with your case. Updates on charges, court dates, what's coming next β€” you can ask for all of it. You don't have to wait to be told.
The Right to Protection
Your safety and privacy are protected under the law. Protection orders, restraining orders, and privacy measures in court can be put in place for you. You can ask for them.
The Right to Participate
You're not just a witness in your own case. You have the right to speak at key stages (ie. bail hearings, sentencing) and the right to have legal representation in your corner.
The Right to Restitution
What happened to you had a real cost (medical bills, therapy, lost wages). You may be able to seek financial compensation for that. The harm is recognized by the law.
The Right to Support Services
Counselling, advocacy, and crisis support are available to you right now β€” no report required, no conditions. You don't have to be in the middle of a legal process to access free help.
We break all five rights down in much more detail on the Survivors' Rights page
Breathing & Grounding Exercises
Tap to open β€” choose an exercise to feel calm and steady
4-6-8 Breathing
This breathing technique helps slow your nervous system and bring a sense of calm. You can do this sitting in the courtroom, in a hallway, or anywhere you need a moment.
Take a moment to settle.
You don't have to have it all together. You just have to take the next breath.
5-4-3-2-1 Grounding
This exercise brings you back to the present moment by engaging your five senses. It's especially helpful if you're feeling overwhelmed or disconnected. Work through each sense slowly β€” there's no rush.
5
See
Name 5 things you can see right now.
4
Touch
Notice 4 things you can physically feel.
3
Hear
Listen for 3 sounds around you.
2
Smell
Find 2 things you can smell.
1
Taste
Notice 1 thing you can taste.
You are here. You are safe in this moment. Take it one sense at a time.
Belly Breathing
Belly breathing β€” also called diaphragmatic breathing β€” activates your body's natural calming response. It's gentle, quiet, and easy to do anywhere.
Take a moment to settle.
Your breath is always with you. It is steady, even when things feel uncertain.

So what can you actually do from here?

There's no right order and no timeline you have to follow. These are your options β€” take what makes sense for where you are right now, and come back for the rest when you're ready.

You can go to a hospital for a Sexual Assault Evidence Kit (SAEK) exam, which can collect and preserve evidence if you choose to report now or later. Not all hospitals have a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program, so this link can help you find hospitals in your community that may offer this care.

Learn More β†’

You can report in person, by phone, or online β€” and there's no time limit for reporting sexual assault in Canada. Whether it happened last week or years ago, reporting is still an option. We walk you through what to expect so nothing catches you off guard.

Learn More β†’

If charges are laid, knowing what's coming makes a real difference. We've broken down the full process in plain language β€” first hearings, cross-examination, victim impact statements β€” so there are no surprises.

Learn More β†’

You don't need to report, press charges, or have any kind of plan to deserve support. Crisis lines, counselling, and community organizations are available to you today. Healing doesn't have to wait for the legal system.

Where to get support, by province

Assaulted Women's Helpline1-866-863-0511
24/7, multilingual, anonymous.
Ontario SADT CentresFind nearest β†’
Sexual Assault / Domestic Violence Treatment Centres providing immediate medical care and evidence collection.
Legal Aid OntarioVisit site β†’
Free legal representation for survivors who qualify. Duty counsel available at court.
Ontario Victim Support Line1-888-579-2888
Crisis support, helplines, shelters, and online chat, 24/7.
Male Survivors (Family Service Toronto)1-866-887-0015
For men who have experienced sexual abuse. Province-wide 24/7 information and referral, ages 16+.
211 OntarioVisit site β†’
Service navigation for shelters, financial assistance, legal supports, newcomers, 2SLGBTQIA+ services, and more.
VictimLink BC1-800-563-0808
24/7 information, referrals, and immediate support.
Battered Women's Support ServicesVisit site β†’
Free and confidential support for women experiencing intimate partner violence or sexual assault.
Salal Sexual Violence Support CentreVisit site β†’
24-hour crisis and information line for those impacted by sexualized violence.
Legal Services Society of BCVisit site β†’
Free legal advice for people who cannot afford a lawyer.
Ending Violence Association of BCVisit site β†’
Provincial organization supporting and coordinating anti-violence services across BC.
211 British ColumbiaVisit site β†’
Province-wide service navigation database and helpline.
Yukon Victim ServicesVisit site β†’
Crisis support, safety planning, court information, and emergency supports.
Kaushee's Place867-668-5733
24/7 support line including call, text, and online support. Emergency shelter for women and children escaping violence.
Sexualized Assault Support Line1-844-967-7275
24-hour confidential line for victims of sexualized assault of all genders, ages, and sexualities.
Independent Legal Advice ProgramVisit site β†’
Free, confidential legal advice for victims of intimate partner violence or sexualized assault in Yukon.
Family Violence Info LineCall/text 310-1818
24/7 confidential help in 170+ languages.
ONE Line for Sexual Violence1-866-403-8000
Call, text, or chat daily for emotional support, information, and referral.
Alberta Council of Women's Shelters1-866-331-3933
24/7 shelter directory and toll-free line.
Legal Aid AlbertaVisit site β†’
Legal help for eligible Albertans including family-violence matters and emergency protection orders.
211 AlbertaVisit site β†’
Free, confidential, live-answer navigation 24/7.
Manitoba Justice Victim Services1-866-484-2846
Support for victims of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, stalking, and serious crimes.
Klinic β€” Sexual Assault Crisis Line1-888-292-7565
Support regardless of gender or location in Manitoba.
Legal Aid ManitobaVisit site β†’
Legal help for eligible Manitobans.
211 ManitobaVisit site β†’
24/7 information and referral for health, social, government, legal, and violence-related supports.
Government of Saskatchewan Victim ServicesVisit site β†’
Crisis intervention, information, support, and referrals after crime or abuse.
Sexual Assault Services of SaskatchewanVisit site β†’
Provincial network coordinating support and advocacy for people affected by sexual violence.
Legal Aid Saskatchewan1-800-667-3764
Legal services in family and criminal law for eligible people.
211 SaskatchewanVisit site β†’
24/7 community and social-services navigation.
SOS violence conjugale1-800-363-9010
Free, bilingual, anonymous, confidential, 24/7 for intimate-partner violence.
Sexual Violence Helpline1-888-933-9007
Free, bilingual, anonymous, confidential, 24/7 for sexual violence.
CAVAC1-866-532-2822
Free, confidential support for victims and witnesses of crime throughout QuΓ©bec.
Commission des services juridiquesVisit site β†’
QuΓ©bec's legal-aid system.
211 QuΓ©becVisit site β†’
Community and social-services navigation to local supports.
NS Department of Justice Victim ServicesVisit site β†’
Provincial victim-services offices providing information, support, and assistance.
Neighbours, Friends and Families1-855-225-0220
24/7 abuse-and-violence support line.
Sexual Violence Independent Legal AdviceVisit site β†’
Free legal advice for sexual assault survivors in Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia Legal AidVisit site β†’
Legal help, information, advice, and representation.
211 Nova ScotiaVisit site β†’
Province-wide 24/7 information and referral service.
Victim Services Office NBVisit site β†’
Court information, emotional support, and referrals across the province.
Sexual Violence New BrunswickVisit site β†’
Support line available 5pm–8am, 7 days a week.
New Brunswick Legal AidVisit site β†’
Legal-aid offices and family/criminal law help for eligible people.
211 New BrunswickVisit site β†’
24/7 information and referral for health, social, government, legal, and violence-related supports.
Victim Services PEI902-368-4582
Assistance for victims of crime anywhere on the Island.
PEI Rape and Sexual Assault CentreVisit site β†’
Survivor-centred therapy and systems navigation. Serves men and offers a male-survivors group.
RISE ProgramVisit site β†’
Free, confidential legal information and advice for people 16+ who have experienced sexual violence or intimate-partner violence.
211 PEIVisit site β†’
24/7 live-answer navigation with interpretation in 240+ languages.
Victim Services NL709-729-7970
Free support for victims β€” even if the crime was not reported or no charge was laid.
End Sexual Violence NL1-800-726-2743
24-hour support and information line for people impacted by sexual violence, all genders.
The Journey ProjectVisit site β†’
Trauma-informed legal information, navigation, and referrals for survivors anywhere in the province.
211 NewfoundlandVisit site β†’
24/7 navigation for violence and abuse resources, legal supports, housing, and more.
NWT Victim ServicesVisit site β†’
Safety planning, victim impact statements, court information, emergency funding, and local worker contacts.
Native Women's Association of the NWTVisit site β†’
Referrals, accompaniment, emergency accommodation, and on-call support.
NWT Family Violence Shelters1-866-223-7775
24/7 crisis line and help locating nearest available shelter.
YWCA NWTVisit site β†’
Family-violence shelters and free Independent Legal Advice and Representation Program.
211 Northwest TerritoriesVisit site β†’
Free, confidential, live-answer navigation 24/7.
Nunavut Victim Services1-866-456-5216
Information, emotional support, court accompaniment, and help navigating the justice system.
YWCA Agvik NunavutVisit site β†’
Emergency shelter, counselling, and support services for women and children experiencing violence.
Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Help LineVisit site β†’
24/7 confidential crisis support and emotional assistance.
Legal Services Board of NunavutVisit site β†’
Free legal advice and representation for eligible individuals.
211 NunavutVisit site β†’
Searchable service directory for community, social, health, and government supports.
More provinces and territories being added regularly.