Lots of different support is available to help you. You can:
- tell someone what happened
- get help to access services in your local area
- get emotional support including from trained counsellors and therapists
- get medical support from specially trained doctors, nurses and support workers
- get help to understand how the criminal justice system works on the Victim and Witness website
Whatever type of support you choose, you will be listened to and believed.
The first step to reach out for support will be different for everyone.
You can speak to someone over the phone or chat to someone online by contacting the services listed below – you might want to contact one which feels right for you and your needs.
Some of these services only operate in England and Wales. You can read about the support available to you if you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Support Services
The 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line: Free, specialist and confidential support delivered by Rape Crisis England & Wales.
Call 0808 500 2222 or visit the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line to chat online or find out more.
The 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line is a free, confidential emotional support and listening service for anyone over the age of 16 affected by sexual violence or abuse living in England and Wales. This includes people of all genders.
The Support Line, funded by UK Government and delivered by Rape Crisis England & Wales, is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is accessible through phone and online chat, with additional online resources.
National Male Survivor Helpline and Online Support Service: Operated by Safeline. A dedicated service in England and Wales for adults and children affected by rape or sexual abuse who identify as male and for those that support them such as friends and family.
Call 0808 800 5005 or visit Safeline’s contact page to chat online.
Text support: 07860 065187
Open Monday to Friday: 9am to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 2pm.
National Online Helpline for Male Survivors: Operated by Survivors UK. Supports men and boys (trans or cisgender) and non-binary people who have ever experienced unwanted sexual activity.
Live chat, SMS and email support on the Survivors UK website (Monday to Sunday, 12pm to 8pm)
The Survivors Trust: Provides confidential information, advice and support for people who have experienced rape and sexual violence.
Phone: 0808 801 0818
Operating hours:
Monday to Thursday: 10am to 12.30pm, 1.30pm to 3pm and 6pm to 8pm
Friday: 10am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3pm
Saturday: 10am to 12:30pm
Sunday: 6pm to 8pm
NAPAC: Offers support to adult survivors of all types of childhood abuse, including physical, sexual, emotional abuse, narcissism, and neglect.
The National Association For People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC)
Phone: 0808 801 0331 (Monday to Thursday from 10am to 9pm and Friday from 10am to 6pm)
Email: support@napac.org.uk
Galop: A UK LGBT+ anti-abuse charity, provides a dedicated sexual violence helpline for LGBT+ people who have experienced sexual assault, violence or abuse, however or whenever it happened.
Victims can contact the Helpline by phone (0800 999 5428) or via email help@galop.org.uk.
Galop’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Helpline is available Monday to Thursday,10am to 8pm, and Friday 10am to 4pm.
Live Fear Free Helpline (Wales): Open 24 hours a day to provide help and advice about violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence to people in Wales.
Live Fear Free Helpline (Wales)
Phone: 0808 80 10 800 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Text: 07 860 077 333 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Email: info@livefearfreehelpline.wales (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Live chat: (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Croesawir galwadau yn Gymraeg / Calls are welcomed in Welsh.
Victim Support: A charity that provides 24-hour free and confidential support to people affected by crime or traumatic events.
Victim Support (includes live chat)
Use their online self-support guides
Phone: 0808 1689 111 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
1in6: Access self-help resources on the 1in6 website (for survivors who self-identify as male).
Breaking the Silence: A specialist service for male survivors from black and Asian communities aged 13 and over.
You can contact Breaking the Silence on 01274 497535.
Open Monday to Thursday from 3pm to 8pm.
Local Services
The following services have information on their websites to help you find support:
- Imkaan for services which support black and minority women and girls
- Male Survivors Partnership for services which support men and boys
You may be put in contact with, or decide to contact a local rape support centre. These centres offer a range of services. This can include practical support and information, counselling, therapy, group work and advocacy services.
In addition, you can also use the Find support in your area function on the Victim and Witness Information website.
Sexual Assault Referral Centres
You might also hear people talk about Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs).
Sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) offer medical, practical and emotional support 24/7 to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted or abused.
SARCs are located across the country and are here for everyone, regardless of when an incident happened. They are staffed by health and wellbeing professionals, who can provide support to individuals and arrange counselling and therapy sessions following rape, sexual assault or abuse.
You can self-refer and, unless there is a safety issue, it’s up to you whether to involve the police or not.
Anyone who has experienced sexual violence or abuse can access support from a Sexual Abuse Referral Centre (SARC).
Support for sexual violence as a result of domestic abuse
You can also access support if the sexual violence or abuse you have experienced is the result of domestic abuse.
Find out more about the types of domestic abuse support available.
To help understand more about domestic abuse, visit the Victim and Witness Information website.
Reporting Sexual Violence
You may be thinking about reporting what happened to the police.
Find out more about reporting sexual violence, investigation and going to court on the Victim and Witness Information website.
Your rights and entitlements are set out in full in the Victims’ Code.
The Victims’ Code explains the rights that everyone can expect to receive as a victim of crime.
Whoever you are and whatever the crime, you have the right to be informed about the criminal justice process and the support available.