Sexual violence support services
Useful links outside of the industry in one helpful place where women and men can go for support and advice on abuse and violence. This list will grow and change over time. Are we missing any? Let us know.
Sexual violence support
Galop
Galop is the leading LGBT+ anti-violence charity and provides confidential and independent advice and support LGBT+ people who have experienced sexual assault, abuse or violence, “however or whenever it happened”. They also provide services for survivors of domestic abuse.
Helpline: 0207 704 2040 (specialist sexual violence service) / 0800 999 5428 (National LGBT+ domestic abuse helpline)
The Havens
The Havens are specialist centres in London for people who have been raped or sexually assaulted.
We’re here to help you if you’ve been raped or sexually assaulted in the past 12 months.
You can call us 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for an initial assessment.
When we need to see you urgently, such as for a forensic medical examination (FME), we aim to see you within 90 minutes.
We also offer follow-up care, including counselling, tests and treatments.
Our medical and emotional support services are confidential. That means we won’t tell anyone you’ve contacted us or come to see us unless you want us to. And you can use any of our services without involving the police.
Helpline: 020 3299 6900
LGBTQ+ Guide to Online Safety - VPN Mentor
We at vpnMentor conducted a survey in which we asked LGBTQ+ people worldwide about their experiences online as they relate to their sexual orientation and gender identity. The results – referenced throughout this article – illuminated the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community.
London Survivors Gateway
The London Survivors Gateway offers victims and survivors of rape and sexual abuse help to access specialist services in London. They provide information on what help is available in London after rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse or any form of sexual violence and offer support to access these services. They work with anyone aged 13 or above regardless of gender, sexuality, disability, language, ethnicity or immigration status. The Gateway is a partnership between the four London Rape Crisis Centres, Galop, SurvivorsUK and the Havens and is run by the Women and Girls Network.
Helpline: 0808 801 0860
National Stalking Helpline (Suzy Lamplugh Trust)
A website supported by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust offering advice, halp and contact for anyone being stalked. ‘Are you worried that someone might be stalking you? We understand that it can feel difficult seeking support and this tool is here to help you.’
This is not an emergency number so please dial 999 if you feel in immediate danger.
Helpline:0808 802 0300
NHS Choices
For help after rape and sexual assault the NHS offers guidance and support as well as a search tool for Sexual Abuse Referral Centres (SARCs). SARCs are specialist medical and forensic services for anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted. Some centres only take police referral while others you can self-refer to by calling to book an appointment.
OK Rehab
OK Rehab specialises in local drug and alcohol rehab and addiction treatment. This treatment is available via both inpatient and outpatient treatment providers. We also work with clinics that are able to facilitate treatment taking place in your own home, who are able to provide professional intervention and home detoxification.
Rape Crisis England and Wales
Rape Crisis is a national organisation offering support and counselling for those affected by rape and childhood sexual abuse. All groups work with women and girls and some groups work with men and boys. The website has information about local groups as well as about sexual violence. The national helpline is completely confidential, open everyday, including weekends and bank holidays, and will provide emotional support to all women and girls, including women from LGBT groups, as well as help support men and boys to find a specialist service, and provide information to everyone about local services including sexual assault referral centres.
Helpline: 0808 802 9999
Rape Crisis Northern Ireland
Rape Crisis Northern Ireland is a support service for anyone who is 18 and over and has experienced rape or serious sexual assault in adulthood. We are committed to ensuring our services are accessible regardless of disability, gender identity, social class, marriage and civil partnership, race, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
We offer you a choice of a male or female Support Worker who can provide you with information and support to help you deal with the impact of what you have been through, while also helping you make informed decisions about your future.
Our fully trained Support Workers can offer support through our Information & Support Line, Email Support and our One to One Support Service
Helpline: 0800 0246 991
Rape Crisis Scotland
Rape Crisis Scotland is Scotland’s leading organisation working to transform attitudes, improve responses and ultimately to end rape and sexual violence in all its forms.
All of us deserve to live free from the fear and threat of sexual violence. At Rape Crisis Scotland we work to raise awareness of the prevalence and impact of rape, sexual assault and abuse, advocate for better health, justice and community responses, and work to make sure that no matter what happened or when, survivors can access specialist support.
Helpline:0808 801 0302
Stay Brave
It’s our mission to erase the barriers survivors of rape, sexual assault and domestic abuse, can face when asking for help. We do this by campaigning for better services, crafting policy and working with decision makers to improve access for every survivor.
The Survivors Trust
The Survivors Trust (TST) is a UK-wide national umbrella agency for over 100 specialist organisations for support for the impact of rape, sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse throughout the UK and Ireland. Their website contains information for organisations working with both male and female survivors, as well as gender and sexuality diverse people. Their helpline is open weekdays.
Helpline: 0808 801 0818
Survivors UK
Survivors UK is a specialist service for male survivors of sexual violence. They offer individual counselling, advocacy, group work, and online support services. They are an inclusive service and welcome anyone who identifies as male, trans, non-binary, has identified as male in the past, or anyone who feels that they are the right fit for them. You can chat online, via SMS or Whatsapp
SMS: 020 3322 1860
Whatsapp: 074 9181 6064
Domestic violence support
Refuge
Refuge supports women, children & men experiencing domestic violence with a range of lifesaving and life changing services.
Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Solace Women’s Aid
Solace Women’s Aid offers free advice and support to women and children in London to build safe and strong lives. Futures free from abuse and violence.
For more than 40 years we’ve supported women and children in London to build safe and strong lives. Futures free from male abuse and violence.
We know that women across London are experiencing domestic and sexual violence right now. Whatever form violence comes in, from rape and trafficking to relationships based on psychological or financial control, we work to end it. But we know escaping violence can be the hardest thing to ever do. That’s why it’s so important we’re here.
We find creative and innovative ways to support thousands of women and children each year. Stand with us to end violence and abuse now.
This is not an excuse
A resource of local services in the UK for domestic abuse sufferers and survivors
Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Women's Aid
Women’s Aid is the national domestic violence charity that helps up to 250,000 women and children every year. The national helpline is run in partnership with Refuge and is open 24 hours a day.
Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Child sexual abuse support & prevention
Childline
Childline is run by the NSPCC and provides support and information to any young person in the UK. Access to an online counsellor is also via the website.
Helpline: 0800 1111
The Lighthouse
The Lighthouse is a facility in north London, set up in partnership with organisations in the voluntary and public sectors to provide a safe space to support children and young people, from 0-18, in their recovery from sexual abuse or exploitation. It will also support adults aged 18-25 with learning disabilities, if The Lighthouse service best meets their needs.
NAPAC
The damage caused by child abuse doesn’t always end in childhood. We offer support to adult survivors and training for those who support them. We run support groups when there is funding to do so.
Helpline: 0808 801 0331
NSPCC
UK’s leading charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. Helpline available for adults who are concerned about a child.
Helpline: 0808 800 5000
One in Four
One in Four is a specialist charity with a dedicated team of experts and counsellors with many years of knowledge, experience and expertise in working with survivors of sexual abuse and violence, and particularly child sexual abuse.
Helpline: 0800 121 7114
Further links
AVA (Against Violence & Abuse)
We strive to improve services for survivors through our learning, resources, consultancy and end Violence Against Women and Girls through our policy, research and prevention work.
Working with survivors to end gender-based violence by championing evidence-based change.
AVA’s work is focused around those areas where we can make the best contribution to ending violence and abuse
The Everyday Sexism Project
The Everyday Sexism Project exists to catalogue instances of sexism experienced on a day to day basis. They might be serious or minor, outrageously offensive or so niggling and normalised that you don’t even feel able to protest. Say as much or as little as you like, use your real name or a pseudonym – it’s up to you. By sharing your story you’re showing the world that sexism does exist, it is faced by women everyday and it is a valid problem to discuss.
If you prefer to e-mail me at laura@everydaysexism.com I can upload your story for you instead. Follow us on Twitter (and submit entries by tweet) at @EverydaySexism.
The Fawcett Society
The Fawcett Society is the UK’s leading membership charity campaigning for gender equality and women’s rights at work, at home and in public life. Our vision is a society in which women and girls in all their diversity are equal and truly free to fulfill their potential creating a stronger, happier, better future for us all.
Good Night Out
Good Night Out Campaign is on a mission for safer nightlife. We believe nights out should be about fun and freedom, not fear.
We help nightlife spaces and organisations to better understand, respond to, and prevent sexual harassment and assault, through specialist training, policy support and an accreditation programme. Let’s change the party to change the world.
Rights of Women
We are a women’s charity working in a number of ways to help women through the law.
Our vital services aim to provide women with the legal advice and information they need to understand and use the law and their legal rights. We also work to improve the law for women and increase women’s access to justice.
School of Sexual Education
We provide in-school workshops on consent, sexual health, porn and positive relationships. We also work with university students, youth groups and provide training and consultancy.
Our approach is rights-based, sex-positive, non-binary and trauma-informed.
We support young people and those working with them to ensure everyone has access to a complete, inclusive and comprehensive sex(uality) and relationships education.