Sexual abuse comes in many forms - from sexual violation, to unwanted touching, or sexual behaviour which makes a victim feel uncomfortable.
In Queenstown there are a relatively low number of incidents being reported. That doesn't mean it's not happening, it means victims are either scared to speak out, or unsure of what constitutes sexual abuse.
Otago Daily Times and Queenstown Times bureau chief Tracey Roxburgh talks to Jigsaw Central Lakes victim intervention co-ordinator Fiona Young about sexual abuse, what do if you have been a victim and how to protect yourself and your friends.
Sexual violation is one of the most horrific forms of abuse - sometimes a victim is raped by a stranger, sometimes by someone they know and trust.
Regardless, the consequences for the victim are life changing and it often takes many years for a person to fully recover.
Jigsaw Central Lakes victim intervention co-ordinator Fiona Young says about 20% of sexual violation - formerly known as rape - cases reported go to court.
Of those, about 5% end in a conviction.
For some victims, getting a case heard in court gives them closure.
For many others, reliving the nightmare through a court process can be daunting, invasive and traumatic.
However, it was important for victims of rape, or any other form of sexual abuse, to reach out for help, Ms Young said.
Depending on a victim's needs, there were different options available.
"If it's counselling, there are two options," she said.
"There's ACC counselling, which is free, but it's a ... lengthy process they have to go through, it's quite invasive and you have to give a lot of information to meet the criteria. That's first up, straight up, which can be really hard for people.
"We can also refer them to other counsellors. We don't push them to go through medical or police processes.
"People heal in different ways. Some people by going to counselling, some people by going to court and trying to get justice."
While some victims were comfortable seeking help immediately, many others waited years to receive counselling.
While there was a "spate" of sexual abuse in Queenstown a few years ago, reported incidents had lessened in the past couple of years, Ms Young said.
"It doesn't mean it's not happening, it just means it's not being reported, or recognised."
That was often the case if drinks had been spiked using "date rape" drugs, which caused loss of consciousness and loss of memory.
Young people could also easily become confused about "whether something's rape or not", she said.
"You get that with date rape. That's the most common form - when you're in a relationship and one party wants to have sex and the other party ... they're not sure.
"It [sex] just happens, but there's no verbal agreement.
Often rape involved alcohol, but it was just as easy for a person to be raped having consumed two drinks as it was having consumed eight, Ms Young said.
The key was to always ensure you had a "safety plan with your friends" if you were heading out for a night.
"Always have a cellphone. You can always ring 111. It doesn't matter if you have no money on your phone.
"Have a plan set up with your friends to keep an eye on each other and arrange to meet at certain times.
"Always watch your drinks ... Queenstown, especially in winter, is a place where young women can get targeted, even walking home on your own is probably not safe.
"Make sure you have a plan - if you're a young person have an agreement with your mum and dad, if you run out of money [have an arrangement] where you can get a taxi and they'll pay for it when you get home."
And, for anyone who is a victim of sexual abuse, the first step is to make a phone call, either to the police or to Jigsaw Central Lakes.
"We would just have a conversation with the person. It's not always females that get raped.
"It would just be a conversation to see where people want to go with it."
Rape
Rape is defined as when a victim hasn't given their consent or they are unable to, for example, if they are unconscious.
Sexual violation is classified as any kind of penetration.
Consent is defined as permission - the law says there is no consent if a person has been threatened in any way.
It also says just because a person offers no resistance, it does not mean consent is present.
The clearest way to make sure you have consent it to check with the person concerned.
Sexual abuse sometimes includes rape, often includes sexual touching and can include non-touching behaviours, for example, being made to watch pornography.
It often involves trickery, manipulation, threats, coercion, bribery and sometimes force.
Survivors of sexual abuse and rape have a wide range of feelings, their thinking changes and often the way they dress and act is affected.
They can suffer depression, grief, anxiety, fear and panic attacks, lowered self-esteem, anger, guilt and shame.
They can become "hyper vigilant" to danger or they can become reckless in their risk taking.
They can also become suicidal or show signs of self harming, develop eating disorders or exhibit criminal behaviour.
As daunting and confronting as it could seem, help is only ever a phone call away for victims of sexual abuse - Jigsaw Central Lakes' 24-hour number is free to call and the service is confidential.
Drink spiking
Drink spiking happens to males, females and children - primarily to perpetrate sexual assaults.
However, there are several things you can do to keep yourself safe when drinking.
At parties, take your own drinks and drink out of a bottle - it's harder to slip a drug into a bottle than a glass.
Go out with a group of friends, stay together and make a plan if you get separated.
Never leave a drink unattended - a moment is all it takes for a drink to be spiked.
If you are not with your "usual" crowd, tell someone you trust the three "W's" - who, when and where.
Avoid sharing drinks.
Don't take a drink just to be polite and if you haven't watched a drink be poured, don't consume it.
If you begin to feel drowsy, or out of it, tell a friend and go home immediately with someone you trust.
If you believe your drink has been spiked, keep it for evidence and go to the nearest doctor, medical centre or hospital and get a blood and urine test - date rape drugs can exit your bloodstream in about four hours and your urine in about 12 hours.
