A disturbing rise in sexual violence across the country has prompted the State Government’s Office for Women to launch a new campaign to educate young South Australians about the many ways that sexual violence can take place.

For 10 weeks, images and videos will be shared on social media platforms to boost awareness around the various forms of sexual violence, including taking and sharing intimate images without consent, pressuring people into sex and disrespecting boundaries.

The content aims to empower young people with the tools to recognise, prevent and respond to sexual violence, whether it happens online or in person.

Research from Our Watch, a leading organisation in the prevention of violence against women in Australia, highlights how prevalent misconceptions of sexual violence are among young people.

Our Watch surveyed 1000 Australians aged 14-20 years old and while most of those surveyed claimed to understand healthy relationships, 27 per cent confused controlling behaviours as signs of healthy boundaries.

Nearly 30 per cent of those surveyed thought forcing physical touch out of love was a healthy boundary while 54 per cent believed that if a boy wants to have sex with a girl, it is up to the girl to make it very clear she doesn’t want to.

Survivor and Zahra Foundation Head of Specialist Practice Rabia Aftab said sexual abuse doesn't always look like what you see on TV.

"It starts with physical boundaries being ignored, unwanted sexual comments or jokes about your body, they use pressure: if you love me, you will ... If it doesn’t feel right, it probably is not," she said.

"If a friend changes how they dress, act, or speak overnight it might not be ‘just a phase.’ It might be a trauma response. Don’t ignore it. Pay attention and ask questions, believe them and seek help."

Ms Aftab said after being silenced for too long, she now realised her voice was her power.

"Silence only protects perpetrators. Let’s break the silence speak up and support each other. Please know there is support available," she said.

"Educate yourself and know that it never is your fault."

Emma, a sexual violence survivor, said she wished she knew what sexual abuse was growing up as a young adult when phones with cameras were something new.

"Having intimate photos of myself shared with others was not something we learned about in school or was even talked about, so when this happened to me as an adult, I was embarrassed and ashamed to report it to the police at the time," she said.

"This went hand in hand with the assumption that my husband was entitled to have sex with me whenever he wanted regardless of if I said no or asked him to stop. It was only years after that I learned this was sexual abuse."

Survivor Natasha said: "Rape is about violence, not sex. If a person hits you with a shovel, you wouldn't call it gardening."

If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual violence, confidential information, counselling and support is available 24/7 through 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.