SECURE & SUPPORT: bonus resources
Referral services
If you are a victim of rape or sexual assault or assisting a victim, support is available
Through support services victims can get support to tell someone what happened, and help to:
Access further support
Navigate the criminal justice system and other systems
Seek emotional support, including from trained counsellors and therapists
Access medical care
Contacting support services.
You can access support services by
Phone
Online and
Face-to-face.
There are many types of support available. Contact a service that feels right for the victim.
Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs)
Victims may be supported by an ISVA. They do not have to report their experience to the police to get support from an ISVA.
An ISVA will offers independent practical and emotional support and will work with other organisations to make sure the victim gets the help they need. This may include health or housing support.
They will also be able to give the victim information about the police, Crown Prosecution Service and court processes if they choose to report.
You can contact any of the organisations in this guide to find out more about ISVA services or to request an ISVA. You can also ask the police to refer you to an ISVA service.
While ISVAs can provide emotional support, they are not counsellors or therapists.
Rape and sexual abuse support centres
These are locally led centres independent from the police, Crown Prosecution Service and courts. Services include:
Practical support and information
Emotional and peer support
Counselling
Therapy
Advocacy services to help navigate the criminal justice system.
Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs)
SARCs offer confidential medical and practical support to people who have been raped or sexually assaulted.
The victim need not need to report to the police to visit a SARC.
At a SARC, the victim can get:
A forensic medical examination to collect evidence
Medical help for any injuries
Free pregnancy and STI tests
The victim can choose to have any forensic evidence stored in case you decide to report to the police in the future.
Some SARCs may take and keep forensic evidence safely for several years if the victim ask them to.
Any evidence that is collected will only be given to the police if the victim decides to report the crime.
You can find the nearest SARC on the NHS website.
Specialist services providing counselling and therapy
Counselling or therapy services also offer help.
To find out more check the following:
1 in 6 – 1in6.uk
Survivors UK – survivorsuk.org
Safeline – safeline.org.uk
Rape Crisis – rapecrisis.org.uk
You can access counselling and talking therapies from the NHS.
GP or another medical professional
A GP or another medical professional can help. Medical professionals will only report what has happened to the police if you the victim asks them to, or if they believe that someone else (for example a child) might be at risk of harm.
Support services and contact details
24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line
The 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line is a confidential emotional support and listening service for anyone aged 16 or over in England and Wales who has experienced sexual violence or abuse at some point in their life. It is totally free and open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by phone and webchat.
Website: 247sexualabusesupport.org.uk
Phone: 0808 500 2222
Rape Crisis England and Wales
Provides free, confidential and specialist support and advocacy services, available 24 hours a day for people whose lives have been impacted by sexual violence and abuse at any time.
Website: rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help (includes a live chat service)
Phone: 0808 802 9999
Victim Support
Provides 24-hour free and confidential support to people affected by crime or traumatic events, including non-recent sexual abuse.
Website: victimsupport.org.uk (includes a live chat service)
Phone: 0808 1689 111
The Survivors Trust
Provides confidential information, advice, support and referral information for anyone affected by rape and sexual violence, whether recent or in the past, including parents, partners, carers and professionals working with survivors.
Website: thesurvivorstrust.org
Phone: 0808 801 0818
Email: helpline@thesurvivorstrust.org
Imkaan
Imkaan is not a direct service provider, but they provide information on specialist services and support for Black and Minority women and girls.
Website: imkaan.org.uk/get-help
Phone: 020 7842 8525
Email: info@imkaan.org.uk
Services for children and young people
Childline
Whether you have experienced sexual abuse in the past or it is still happening, Childline offers a free and confidential helpline 24 hours a day. You can also use the Ask Sam service to send a message through their website and talk about anything you want without anyone knowing who sent it.
Website: childline.org.uk
Phone: 0800 1111
NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children)
NSPCC has a dedicated support line for children and young people who have experienced abuse at school, and for worried adults and professionals that need support and guidance, including for non-recent abuse.
Website: nspcc.org.uk
Phone: 0800 136 663
Email: help@nspcc.org.uk
NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood)
NAPAC offers support to adult survivors of all types of childhood abuse, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, narcissism and neglect.
Website: napac.org.uk
Phone: 0808 801 0331
Email: support@napac.org.uk
LGBTQ+ services
Galop
Provides a free, confidential and independent service for all LGBTQ+ people who have experienced any form of sexual assault, violence or abuse, regardless of when it happened.
Website: galop.org.uk
Email: referrals@galop.org.uk
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.
Website: gov.wales/live-fear-free (includes a live chat service)
Phone: 0808 80 10 800
Text: 07860 077333
Email: info@livefearfreehelpline.wales
Support services for men
National Male Survivor Helpline and Online Support Service
A dedicated service for men and boys in England and Wales affected by rape or sexual abuse and those that support them, such as friends and family.
Website: safeline.org.uk (includes a live chat service)
Phone: 0808 800 5005
Text: 07860 065187
National Online Helpline for Male Survivors
Operated by SurvivorsUK to support men and boys (trans or cisgender) and non-binary survivors of sexual abuse.
Website: survivorsuk.org (includes a live chat service)
Phone: 020 3322 1860
Domestic abuse services
You can also access support if the harm you have experienced is the result of domestic abuse. Again, you can choose which service you would like to contact.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Provides free, confidential support 24 hours a day to people experiencing domestic abuse and those who are worried about friends or loved ones, regardless of if they are in a refuge.
Website: nationaldahelpline.org.uk (includes a live chat service)
Phone: 0808 2000 247
Women’s Aid
Provides support for women who are experiencing or have experienced physical, mental, sexual or domestic violence or abuse.
Website: womensaid.org.uk/information-support (includes a live chat service)
Email: helpline@womensaid.org.uk
National LGBTQ+ Domestic Abuse Helpline
Provides emotional and practical support for LGBTQ+ people experiencing domestic abuse.
Website: galop.org.uk
Phone: 0800 99 5428 or 0300 999 5428
Support services for men
Men’s Advice Line
Confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and those supporting them.
Website: mensadviceline.org.uk (includes a live chat service)
Phone: 0808 8010 327
Support for victims of rape and sexual assault
Even if you’re not 100 per cent sure, tell somone sooner to help make sure you’re safe. If you’re not ready to talk to the police just yet, that’s OK. A range of places offer support, advice and medical help.
You can speak to these organisations in confidence and what you tell them won't be shared with the police unless you ask for it to be.
Independent sexual violence advisors (ISVAs)
Independent sexual violence advisors (ISVAs) work with adults and children who have experienced sexual violence and their families to get them access to the services they need.
You can talk to an ISVA without talking to the police.
You can access ISVAs through sexual assault referral centres (SARCs). SARCs have specially trained doctors, nurses and support workers on hand 24 hours a day, offering medical, practical and emotional support to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted or abused.
Find your local sexual assault referral centre.
Other useful links
The charities, groups and organisations below can also provide specialist information and support.
Victim Support A national charity dedicated to helping anyone affected by crime – not just victims and witnesses, but friends, family and anyone else caught up in the aftermath.
24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line 0808 500 2222
Provides free, specialist and confidential support for victims of sexual violence or abuse. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Visit 247sexualabusesupport.org.uk to chat online or find out more. Delivered by Rape Crisis England & Wales, funded by UK Government.
Rape Crisis A national charity offering confidential help, advice and a range of Rape Crisis Centres around the UK.
Galop A national charity providing advice and support to members of the LGBT community.
Survivors UK A national charity supporting men who have been raped or sexually assaulted.
Safeline A specialist sexual violence and abuse charity led by the needs of its clients.
The Survivors Trust Provides specialist support for women, men and children who have survived rape, sexual violence or childhood sexual abuse.
Crimestoppers A national charity with a free helpline for reporting crime anonymously.
Refuge Refuge supports women, children and men with a range of services, including refuges, independent advocacy, community outreach and culturally specific services.
Women's Aid Women’s Aid is a national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children.
Men's Advice Line 0808 801 0327 Confidential helpline for men experiencing domestic violence from a partner or ex-partner (or from other family members).
Legal sources
A range of legal advice services a readily available for victims of sexual violence.
Reporting rape or sexual assault
Your local police station may have a specialist worker. Ask to speak to a specially trained Sexual Offences Liaison Officer (SOLO or SOIT).
Reptorting a sexual vilonce matter can be difficult for some people. They may wish to get specialist advice before making a decision. In any event, only the victim can decide.
Not ready to talk to the police?
A victim can go to a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), without having to report the matter to the police, where they can
Get advice
Make a statement
Have forensic samples taken
Get medical support (including tests for sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy)
The forensic evidence is stored at the SARC in case the victim wants to report the rape to the police in the future.
Victims should should try to go to a SARC as soon as they can so that important evidence can be preserved.
Victims can also get help from an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) who can provide specialist advice and support.
To find an ISVAs, speak to a local Sexual Assault Referral Centre, or Rape Crisis Centre.
A Rape Crisis Centre can provide a safe and confidential environment for women and girls who are survivors of rape, child sexual abuse, sexual harassment or any form of sexual violence.
Some Rape Crisis Centres also provide support services for men and boys who have experienced sexual violence as a child or as an adult.
Some can also offer support to male partners, friends and supporters of sexual violence survivors. You can call their helpline on 0808 802 9999 for details of a local centre.
Further information and help
for victims and witnesses
The charity Rights of Women publish free information on areas of sexual violence law to support women through the criminal justice process.
You can also get help from one of many charities who provide help and advice to people who have experienced violence and abuse.
Citizens Advice: HERE
Crown Prosecution Service: HERE
here is what happens when you ‘lose it”
If you have evr been in a situation where you have lost your temper and said or done something you latter regret, then you have had an "amygdala hijack".
It’s what happens to us when when we encounter a perceived threat. A part of the brain that processes emotions, especially fear and aggression, takes over our response before the rational part of our brain can fully assess the what is happening.
This can trigger a strong emotional response— often a fight-freeze-or-flight reaction —without waiting for the slower, more deliberate reasoning processes.
The upshot is that it can lead to impulsive reactions and decisions driven by fear or anger rather than logical thinking. Also known as really dumb decisions.
For example, if you feel threatened during a conversation, you might respond defensively or aggressively without fully understanding the context or the other person's intentions.
The fact is, our emotional responses can sometimes override our ability to think critically or rationally.
Here’s a nifty three-minute video on amygdala hijack:
Coping with an amygdala hijack
Coping with an amygdala hijack involves strategies to manage your emotional responses and regain control over your reactions.
Some effective techniques include:
Pause and Breathe: When you feel an intense emotional reaction, take a moment to pause. Deep breathing can help calm the nervous system and create space for rational thought. Even saying some to to yourself can help, like: “I am having an amygdala hijack.” And, asking yourself the question: “Why am I reacting this way?” Even something as simple as counting to 10 can make a difference.
Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or grounding exercises, can help you stay present and reduce anxiety, making it easier to respond thoughtfully instead of reactively.
Identify Triggers: Recognise what situations or stimuli tend to provoke strong emotional responses. Understanding your triggers can help you prepare and respond more effectively in the future.
Cognitive Reframing: Challenge negative thoughts by questioning their validity. Reframe the situation in a more positive or realistic light, which can help reduce the intensity of your emotional response.
Develop Emotional Awareness: Increase your emotional intelligence by regularly checking in with your feelings. Journaling or discussing emotions with a trusted friend can help you process them more effectively.
Seek Professional Help: If you find that emotional hijacks are frequent and disruptive, something deeper may be going on, so consider talking to a therapist. They can provide tailored strategies and support for managing intense emotions.
WORKER PROTECTION
The aim of the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill is to enhance worker protection in the United Kingdom.
Purpose and Scope
The Bill amends existing laws, the Equality Act 2010, to address specific issues related to worker protection.
Employers may now be liable for harassment of their employees by third parties (such as customers or clients) on their premises, including sexual harassment.
As such
Employers must take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their employees.
Liability for Harassment
As it stands, employers have a responsibility to create a safe and respectful working environment for their staff.
Under the amended law, employers will be held accountable if their employees experience harassment from third parties while at work.
By extending liability to cover harassment by third parties, the bill aims to protect workers from inappropriate behaviour while at work.
Significance for Business Owners
The bill has significant implications for business owners, particularly those in the hospitality sector.
Employers in industries where interactions with customers or clients are common need to be aware of their responsibilities under this legislation.
Ensuring a harassment-free workplace and taking proactive steps to prevent sexual harassment will be crucial for compliance with the new law.
Implementation
The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill comes into effect in October 2024 and applies to England, Wales, and Scotland. Employers should familiarise themselves with the provisions of the amended law and take necessary steps to comply with its requirements.
Key point: The law aims to strengthen worker protection by holding employers accountable for harassment by third parties and emphasising preventive measures against sexual harassment in the workplace.
useful documents
Sexual harassment and harassment at work
A technical guide from the Equality and Human Rights Commission
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is issuing this guidance on sexual harassment and other forms of harassment at work to help employers, workers and their representatives understand the extent and impact of harassment in the workplace, the law in this area and best practice for effective prevention and response.
Domestic Abuse: A Toolkit for Employers
This toolkit was co-produced by Public Health England (PHE) and Business in the Community (BITC) and, kindly sponsored by The Insurance Charities in 2018.
It is a guide for employers, attending to the challenges they face when seeking toimplement domestic abuse policies and support.
Explanatory Notes
These Explanatory Notes for the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 explain what each part of the Act will mean in practice; provide background information on the development of policy; and provide additional information on how the Act will affect existing legislation in this area. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/51/pdfs/ukpgaen_20230051_en.pdf