Physical assault is never ok. Physical assault is when an individual or a group attacks a person physically, with or without the use of a weapon, or threatens to hurt that person. It can include scratching, pushing, kicking, punching, throwing things, using weapons or physically restraining another person.
Physical assault can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, age or any other characteristic. However, if the assault was motivated by hostility towards a person or group due to a protected characteristic, that is considered a hate crime. Physical assault within relationships, or between family members is classified as domestic violence. Their reasons for attacking you don’t matter. Whether it is out of cruelty, boredom, hatred, jealousy, taking their anger out on you, female genital mutilation, so-called “revenge” or “honour”, or fuelled by alcohol or drugs, physical violence is a crime.
You can find additional information about how to report and/or receive support following sexual assaults here. This includes information about the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC).