Sexual abuse is ANY unwanted sexual contact. Sometimes, it is hard because that contact may feel wanted and it causes internal conflict because it feels good but you hate yourself for it. This is normal and something that nobody has to go through alone. Many victims of sexual abuse don't tell anyone because they feel that they will lose the love of the people they care about if anyone finds out.  

RAINN, the Rape Abuse & Incest National Network, provides a lot of information about sexual abuse. 

Rape is defined as forced sexual intercourse, including vaginal, anal, or oral penetration. Penetration may be by a body part of object.

Sexual assault is defined as unwanted sexual contact that stops short of rape or attempted rape. This includes sexual touching and fondling. (Some people use this interchangeably with "rape.") 

1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men will be assaulted in their lifetime. YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Talk to someone who you can trust, a counselor, therapist, pastor, etc. Victims of sexual assault are 3 times more likely to suffer from depression, 6 times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol, 26 times more likely to abuse drugs, 4 times more likely to contemplate suicide. 

Ways To Reduce your Risk: Avoid dangerous situations! If a situation is giving you a bad vibe and you feel unsafe, trust that instinct. Be Safe On Your Computer! Make sure to empty caches, erase history, and don't talk to strangers. The best thing you can do is not meet strangers, you don't know them, hence the word: STRANGERS. 

PHYSICAL SELF CARE FOR SURVIVORS (this is something people often overlook):

• Food- Good nutrition is important to stay healthy. When you are physically healthy, you are more likely to do better emotionally. 
• Exercise- Even if it's just a quick walk at lunchtime, can help combat feelings of sadness or depression and can help prevent chronic health problems. 
• Sleep- Most people need between 7 to 10 hours of sleep each night. It often can be hard for victims of sexual abuse to sleep, but REM sleep is important.
• Medical Care- Some survivors put off getting medical care until problems that might have been relatively easy to take care of have become more complicated.

Emotional Self-Care Can be Different for Some People But Can Mean...

• Counseling- seeing a psychologist, psychiatrist, therapist, or social worker. Local rape crisis centers often provide counseling. To find one near you call (800) 656 HOPE or see the RAINN website.
• Keeping a Journal- Some survivors, myself included, find that it is helpful to write down thoughts, feelings, anything in a journal. It doesn't have to make sense to anybody but you but it can help you understand what you are feeling.
• Meditation and Relaxation Exercises
• Have a healthy support system. This can include friends, family, counselors... Nurture those relationships that make you feel good about yourself! If you have trouble finding this kind of relationship, there are support groups to join and you are not alone. I am a SURVIVOR of being raped twice and some of my strongest support comes from people I know from my support groups. They know the real me and see all that I survived and don't put me in the victim role. 
• Be wary of: friends and family who only make contact when it's for their benefit, people who always leave you feeling depressed or tired, friends who have little or no time to listen to you, ANYONE who dismisses or belittles your role as a SURVIVOR. Don't let anyone try to trick you into thinking that you were a victim because you are the SURVIVOR! 

My final words of wisdom would be try to find something you enjoy doing, something healthy that you enjoy doing. I enjoy being around animals so I volunteer with horses and dogs and I horseback ride. Emotional health is so important and leisure tends to be low priority in our society but everyone needs to have some fun. For months after my first rape I sat and did nothing. But then I rediscovered my passion for horses and then my passion for writing. Those passions drive me more than any of my emotional and physical health stuff does. 

If you are curious about my story, you can contact me via hubpages and I will respond. I'm always available for anyone to talk.