Find Help

The NHS offer help after rape and sexual assault. Their page gives advice on medical checks, emotional support and forensic examinations should you wish to speak to the police. The NHS Live Well pages also include sex facts, advice and support, genital health and STI's.

If you have been sexually assaulted, whether as an adult or a young person, it is important to remember that it wasn't your fault. Sexual violence is a crime, no matter who commits it or where it happens. Don't be afraid to get help.

The Survivors Trust is the largest umbrella agency for specialist rape and sexual abuse services in the UK, providing support for the past 15 years. They work with victims and survivors of all ages, all genders, of all forms of sexual violence, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation, including support for partners and family members.

The Survivors Trust aims to support and empower survivors through:

Rape Crisis England & Wales is the umbrella body for a network of independent Rape Crisis Centres.

Rape Crisis is a national feminist organisation offering support and counselling for those affected by rape and sexual abuse.

Member centres offer services by women, for women and girls. No matter where a victim or survivor lives, they can receive consistent, high quality services from a member of a local Rape Crisis Centre.

See website for local groups or contact directory enquiries.

Women Against Rape (WAR) is a grassroots multi-racial women's group founded in 1976, working closely with Black Women's Rape Action Project.

“We campaign for justice, protection and compensation for all women and girls who have suffered sexual, domestic and/or racist violence. This includes survivors of any age, race and nationality, asylum seekers, women with disabilities, trans women, sex workers.”

Their website also features various useful self-help guides for survivors.

National Helpline: 01483 546400. (7.30pm-9.30pm Mon-Thur)

“We are an inclusive service that supports survivors of all genders over the age of 13 from across Surrey, who have been raped, sexually abused or have had an unwanted sexual experience.”

Their website also has many other resources for survivors, including access to counselling and group support.

Live Fear Free helpline is a free, confidential 24/7 service for all victims and survivors of violence against women and girls as well as those close to them.

If you, a family member a friend, or someone you are concerned about has experienced domestic abuse or sexual violence, you can contact the Live Fear Free Helpline 24 hours a day 7 days a week, for free advice and support or to talk through your options.

Call: 0808 80 10 800

Live Fear is a bilingual service, and have text, call, online chat and email service.

Confidential and free free support services available to anyone who's been raped or sexually assaulted.

“We can help, regardless of whether you have told the police or anyone else about the attack. Our volunteers can visit you at home (if you want us to, and if doing so will not put you at further risk) or somewhere else if you prefer. If you don't want to see anyone face-to-face, you can also talk to us on the phone, either at one of our local offices or at the national Victim Supportline.”

Fill in an online form for support and advice. Someone from your local victim care team will contact you within three working days (Mon to Fri). If you want to speak to someone now, call our free 24/7 Supportline - 08 08 16 89 111 or start a live chat.

In an emergency always call 999.

“We understand the effect which male rape & sexual abuse can have upon those who are forced to experience it, and we're well aware of the traumatic process which it can set in motion. If you are a man who has suffered sexual abuse or rape in the past, you can turn to us for help. We have a range of support options to help you recover from your experience and put the past behind you.”

You can chat with Survivors UK online, or by text. Each chat can last up to 45 minutes or shorter if you prefer.

Chat services are open Monday - Sunday 12pm - 8pm via SMS 020 3322 1826

Specialist support for survivors of sexual violence, domestic violence and abuse, and particularly survivors of child sexual abuse and trauma.

Telephone Helpline open between the hours of 10am-12pm, 2pm-4pm Monday to Friday, you will be able to receive telephone support with a trauma-informed counsellor for up to 30 minutes a session: 0800 121 7114

One In Four provide a safe, restorative environment to work through the effects of sexual abuse and violence. Their services also include counselling with a holistic, one-to-one approach as well as advocacy services.

Dr Nina Burrowes is a psychologist who has spent her career helping people understand the psychology of child sexual abuse, sexual harassment and domestic abuse.

She uses illustrated books, videos and live events to explain why abuse happens, what the impact of abuse is, how to support people and what we can do to prevent it.

Her website compiles resources from books, videos and research reports about sexual violence and rape culture.

Meic is the helpline service for children and young people up to the age of 25 in Wales. From finding out what's going on in your local area to help dealing with a tricky situation, Meic will listen even when no-one else will.

“We won't judge you and will help by giving you information, useful advice and the support you need to make a change.”

MEIC is open 8am to midnight, 7 days a week. You can contact by phone, text or online chat.

MEIC is open 8am to midnight, 7 days a week. You can contact by phone, text or online chat. Meic is confidential, anonymous, free, and just for you.

Text: 84001

Call: 08088023456

MBB is a project offering cervical screening, contraceptive care, STI testing and maternity care for people who've experienced sexual violence. They also have an app which is a step-by-step guide to help you prepare, attend and complete your cervical screening test.

MBB offer workshops via social media for people who have experienced sexual violence, designed to empower you both in terms of healthcare and your own sexuality.

Her website compiles resources from books, videos and research reports about sexual violence and rape culture.

The only national organisation offering support to adult survivors of all types of childhood abuse, including physical, sexual, emotional abuse, narcissism, and neglect.

NAPAC offer a free and confidential telephone support line and an email support service, along with the NAPAC website full of resources and information for survivors, those who care for them, and professionals.

“If you're an adult survivor of any form of child abuse, we're here for you. Taking a first step is difficult, but we can provide you with support and signposting on your road to recovery.”

Hidden Strength is a unique mental health platform for young people. They offer meaningful support and advice in a safe, anonymous environment.

Hidden Strength will be the first mental health portal to build an online community, that serves its users in keeping with their digital lives. Content provided by mental health experts aims to give you the tools to deal with life’s challenges. As a result, therapist support and readable content will be free for those who need it most.

They also have an app

Nexus' services include; supporting victims via specialist counselling, educating young people, training professionals and campaigning to change the myths and misconceptions that exist around sexual violence in society.

Their 24-hour helpline offers support, advice and referral for all victims of domestic and sexual abuse in Northern Ireland. The helpline is available to victims, those concerned about victims, those with concerns as to whether abuse is occurring and to professionals.

Link to 24-hour helpline

You can call 0808 802 1414 or email help@dsahelpline.org

Founded in November 2015, Sistah Space is a community-based non-profit initiative created to bridge the gap in domestic abuse services for African heritage women and girls. Their mission is to encourage African heritage survivors/victims to report abuse by providing a safe cultural venue for victims to disclose abuse in a confidential environment, and to encourage community integration.

“We provide advice and support as well as practical help by providing hygiene products such as sanitary pads, panties, bras, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soaps and other essential items (much of which have been donated by the local community). “

The Sistah Space website provides specific services for those affected by domestic abuse, sexual abuse, discriminatory abuse, organisational abuse and financial abuse.

To get help from Sistah Space, call 0207 846 8350

Imkaan is a UK-based, Black feminist organisation.

The only UK-based, umbrella women's organisation dedicated to addressing violence against Black and Minoritised women and girls i.e. women which are defined in policy terms as Black and 'Minority Ethnic' (BME).

The organisation holds over two decades of experience of working around issues such as domestic violence, forced marriage and 'honour-based' violence. “We work at local, national and international level, and in partnership with a range of organisations, to improve policy and practice responses to Black and minoritised women and girls.”

Imkaan use research, educational training, consultancy and public speaking to provide a collective voice for the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) ending violence against women and girls sector.

Southall Black Sisters, a not-for-profit, secular and inclusive organisation, was established in 1979 to meet the needs of Black (Asian and African-Caribbean) women.

The only UK-based, umbrella women's organisation dedicated to addressing violence against Black and Minoritised women and girls i.e. women which are defined in policy terms as Black and 'Minority Ethnic' (BME).

“We run an; advice, advocacy and resource centre in West London which provides a comprehensive service to women experiencing violence and abuse and other forms of inequality. We offer specialist advice, information, casework, advocacy, counselling and self-help support services in several community languages, especially South Asian languages. Whilst our focus is on the needs of black and minority women, we will not turn any woman away who needs emergency help.”

They offer clear advice for what to do in an emergency

You can reach their 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247

Galop is the leading LGBT+ anti-violence charity, supporting LGBT+ people who have experienced sexual assault, abuse, or violence, “however or whenever it happened”.

They run three national support helplines, run by trained LGBT people, as well as offering longer-term support and advocacy services, and answering questions regarding the criminal justice system.

You can talk to their helpline team about insults, intimidation, threats or violence targeting you because of your sexual orientation or gender identity on 02077042040 from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can email HateCrime@galop.org.uk at any time.

Switchboard was launched in March 1974, providing help and information to London's gay community, rebranding in 2015 to emphasise inclusion for people of all sexual orientation and gender identities. All their volunteers self-define as LGBT+ and provide a non-judgemental listening service, as well as guidance and advice, on whatever you want to talk about.

“We're here to help with whatever you want to talk about. Nothing is off limits, and we understand how anxious you might feel before you pick up the phone.”

You can call them on 03003300630 between 10am and 10pm every day, or email chris@switchboard.lgbt.

LGBT Foundation provide a wide range of services, including support groups, counselling, a helpline, pop-in service, sexual health program and a range of guides and resources.

They run a number of programmes, including Village Angels, which help people have safe nights out, and publish guides and advice, including an overview of available support for:

Trans people affected by sexual violence

Information and advice on reporting a hate crime

You can call them on 03453303030 between 9am and 9pm on weekdays, or email helpline@lgbt.foundation.

Bi Survivors Network provide a space for bisexual survivors of sexual and/or domestic violence to talk. They run chats on the secure messaging app Telegram every other week, and also do community advocacy for bi survivors.

The chats are moderated by members of the BSN team, deleted following the session, and can be joined anonymously.

The chats take place every other Wednesday between 7:30pm and 9pm, and are open to people of any gender identity. You can email them at bisurvivorsnetwork@gmail.com.

This is an information and resources website, which aims to raise awareness about child sexual abuse, answer questions and give adults the information, facts and support they need to help protect children and provide support if their child speaks out about abuse.

It includes an online learning programme about child sexual abuse for parents. It also has links to various resources for parents and carers including information about online safety.

This organisation was created by by the child sexual abuse prevention campaigns:

This organisation was created by by the child sexual abuse prevention campaigns:

Stop It Now! UK and Ireland

The Lucy Faithfull Foundation (LFF).

Stop it Now! UK and Ireland is a child sexual abuse prevention campaign. They support adults to play their part in prevention through providing sound information, educating members of the public, training those who work with children and families and running a freephone confidential helpline.

People who are worried about their own, or someone else's sexual behaviour can call this helpline too.

For confidential information and advice call their helpline on 1808 1000 900.

“With the help of our friendly dinosaur Pantosaurus, Talk PANTS is a simple conversation to help keep your child safe from sexual abuse.”

Talk PANTS helps guide parents in starting conversations with their child about consent, to understand that their body belongs to them, and they should tell someone they trust if anything makes them feel upset or worried.

The NSPCC offers a helpline for if you're worried about a child, to provide support and advice to help. Whatever your concern, you can call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 Monday to Friday 8am - 10pm or 9am - 6pm at the weekends, or email at any time at help@nspcc.org.uk.

Website helps parents of sexually abused children with advice on what to do if your child is a victim on abuse and how to help your child recover and heal from sexual abuse induced trauma.

The website also gives information about the effects of childhood sexual abuse, and has a Resource Centre tab on their website including a range of resources; from survivor stories, advice on legal action and information about PTSD after childhood sexual abuse.

This is a short guide for those looking for practical and simple advice on how to better support a friend or family member in an abusive relationship.

Though each case of abuse is different, this guide is a good place to start in finding out how best to support a victim.

This guide is part of a continuing discussion about how we can support those in violent relationships.

This self help guide is for survivors of rape or sexual abuse who want to understand and process their own personal reactions to their experience.

When you have suffered rape or sexual abuse it can affect how you think, how you feel, how you behave and how you see the world.

It is 38 pages long, gives further resources to explore and includes chapters about reactions to trauma, self-harm and relationships.

This self help guide is for male survivors of rape, sexual assault or sexual abuse who want to understand and process their own personal reactions to their experience. When you have suffered rape or sexual abuse it can affect how you think, how you feel, how you behave and how you see the world. You don’t have to do it alone.

Abuse impacts on us in many different ways; this book is full of coping methods for you to try in times of need. The techniques in this book can be used as small, everyday steps to help you heal from the abuse you experienced.

What happened to you does not define you; it is in the past.

This is your time to heal

A collection of self-help guides for LGBTQI+ survivors and victims of sexual assault

These guides contain help the reader understand sexual violence, advise on reporting sexual violence and seeking support, and well as myths and realities about sexual abuse.

They are free to access and download.

This guide has been written by survivors of abuse from around the world, their friends and family. We've also spoken to some therapists but this guide isn't medical advice. We want to break down complex mental health terms that are often heard and misused, help you understand what you're going through, what helped others in your position and how to get out of feeling at your worst. This guide explores:

A self help guide for survivors of rape or sexual abuse, who want to understand and process their own personal reactions to their experience.

This guide may help you to make sense of those feelings and behaviours. You can download this guide in Urdu, and from the original authors in Polish, Chinese, Arabic and Somali. They also have an easy-read version.