National support services for victims of sexual violence or abuse

Police

In an emergency, if a crime is happening right now or someone is in immediate danger, telephone 999.

If you are deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment: Textphone 18000

To report an incident of sexual violence or domestic abuse, contact your local police force. Many will have a specialist unit of trained officers to support you. You may also have a police officer based at your University who can be a first point of contact for you.

For all non-emergency calls to the police in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland:
Telephone 101 (Textphone: 18001 101).

Many police forces provide online forms and information about alternative contact methods (like text messaging or e-mail) on their individual force websites: www.police.uk/contact/force-websites

Victim Support

National helpline for victims of any crime or for people who have been affected by a crime committed against someone they know.

Telephone: 0845 30 30 900 weekdays 9:00-20:00, weekends 9:00-19:00.
Website: www.victimsupport.org.uk

National Domestic Abuse helpline - England

A Free phone confidential 24 Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge. For women experiencing domestic violence, their family, friends, and people calling on their behalf.

There are Translation facilities for callers whose first language is not English, and a service for deaf people.

Telephone: 0808 2000 247
Website: www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk

Men’s Advice Line

Advice and support for men experiencing domestic violence and abuse.

Telephone: 0808 801 0327
Website: www.mensadviceline.org.uk

Mankind Initiative

A national helpline for all men suffering from domestic abuse or violence and for their friends and family.

Telephone: +44(0)1823 334244
Monday-Friday 10:00-16:00 and 19:00-21:00. Normal BT rates apply.
Text relay services for deaf people: www.textrelay.org
Website: www.mankind.org.uk

Respect

Supporting male and female perpetrators of domestic violence, young people who use violence and abuse at home and in relationships and men who are victims of domestic violence.

Telephone: 0808 802 4040
Website: www.respectphoneline.org.uk

Broken Rainbow LGBT Domestic Violence

Confidential support to all members of LGBT communities, their family, friends and agencies supporting them. Helpline, e-mail support and online chat support.

Helpline: 0300 999 5428 (male worker may answer) Monday 10:00-20:00, Tue, Wed 10:00-17:00 and Thur 10:00-20:00. Trans specific service - Tuesday 13:00-17:00.
E-mail: mail@brokenrainbow.org.uk
Website: www.brokenrainbow.org.uk

Women’s Aid

National charity working to end domestic violence against women and children. Website for victims, survivors and those seeking to help them – information about local service contact details, an online forum (24 hours a day), hundreds of pages of information including an online Survivor’s Handbook.

Website: www.womensaid.org.uk

Sexual Assault Referral Centres

Contact a local Sexual Assault Referral Centre for immediate medical and emotional support – find your local SARC via the NHS webpage.

Rape Crisis Centres

Rape Crisis Centres offer a safe and non-judgmental environment where women and girls can talk freely and confidentially. Rape Crisis Centres provide a confidential helpline service for women and girls who have experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives, as well as a range of other specialist support services.

Rape Crisis national helpline: 0808 802 9999
open every day of the year 12:00-14:00 and 19:00-21:30
Website: www.rapecrisis.org.uk
Find your local Rape Crisis Centre here: www.rapecrisis.org.uk/centres.php

National Stalking helpline

National helpline specialised in providing information and guidance to victims of harassment and stalking as well as their friends and family.

Helpline: 0300 636 0300
E-mail: advice@stalkinghelpline.org
Website: www.stalkinghelpline.org

An information site from the Network for Surviving Stalking which contains information about stalking; safety advice and links to organisations that can help: https://www.scaredofsomeone.org/

Salvation Army

A 24 hour confidential helpline for people who may be victims of trafficking and for anyone concerned about people they think may be victims of trafficking.

24/7 referral line: 0300 303 8151
Website: www.salvationarmy.org.uk

FGM helpline

If you need advice or information about female genital mutilation or are worried about a child at risk you can contact the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) helpline. The FGM helpline is open 24 hours a day / 7 days a week, free from a landline.

Helpline: 0800 028 3550
Website: www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect/female-genital-mutilation-fgm/

Daughters of Eve

Supporting, advising, advocating and empowering young people from FGM practising communities.

Text service: 07983030488
E-mail via online form: www.dofeve.org/get-help-now.html
Website: www.dofeve.org/get-help-now.html

Forced Marriage Unit

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provides information about forced marriage and can intervene to make you safe. There is a Forced Marriage Helpline which has a 24-hour response but to talk to a specialist advisor, call between 9:00-17:00 Monday-Friday.

Helpline: 0207 008 0151
Website: www.gov.uk/forced-marriage

Karma Nirvana

National Honour Network Helpline, Monday-Friday 9:30-17:00.
Telephone: 0800 5999 247
Website: www.karmanirvana.org.uk

Self-Injury Support

Run by a Bristol charity, this national organisation supports girls and women in emotional distress – particularly women who harm themselves.

Text and e-mail Support, for girls and young women under 25 who self-injure. Open Monday – Friday 19:00-21:00.
Text: 0870 047 2908
E-mail via online form: www.selfinjurysupport.org.uk/tessform
Website: www.selfinjurysupport.org.uk

National Self Harm Network

Supports individuals who self harm and their families.

Website: www.nshn.co.uk
Survivor forum: www.nshn.co.uk/forum