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Philosophy
The mission of the Goulburn Valley Centre Against Sexual Assault is guided by the belief that:-
- Sexual assault is any act of a sexual nature that is unwanted or intimidating, ranging from sexual harassment, coerced sexual activity, to rape, and rape with physical assault and threat to life.
- Sexual assault is a crime. A crime against the individual and against societies moral values as they are reflected in the law.
- Sexual assault is a violation of a persons body, their senses, emotions and basic human rights. It is an act of physical and psychological domination over the whole person.
- The crime of sexual assault has far reaching consequences for individual victims and for society, including emotional, social, medical, political and legal consequences. Each of these consequences must be recognised and responded to appropriately.
- Sexual assault is a crime primarily committed against women and children. Sexual assault is a consequence of, demonstrates and reinforces the inequitable power relationships between men and women, adults and children in our society.
- Sexual assault is a crime about which, many myths exist. Many of these myths blame the victim for their own victimisation. No-one deserves to be sexually assaulted. There are no valid excuses for sexual assault. Responsibility for the commission of sexual violation rests with the offender, not with the victim.
- Sexual assault is a crime against the individual and against society and therefore is a problem for which the community as a whole must take responsibility. Prevention and elimination of sexual assault can only be achieved through a major change in community attitudes.