If you have been abused, or fear you have, it can be hard to take the first step in seeking help – especially if you have tried to talk about the issue to friends, family or professionals and have not had a response that helped you.
This page lists mainly national organisations. Your local telephone directory or Citizens Advice Bureau may have further information on local organisations.
Samaritans
PO Box 9090, Stirling FK8 2SA
helpline: 08457 90 90 90 (24 hours)
email: jo@samaritans.org
web: www.samaritans.org
Samaritans provides a confidential 24-hour telephone helpline, and you can also drop in at most Samaritan centres during the day or evening. They offer a compassionate and non-judgmental listening ear to anyone in emotional distress.
Victim Support
Victim Supportline: 0845 30 30 900 (Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat and Sun 9am-7pm, bank holidays 9am-5pm)
email: supportline@victimsupport.org.uk
web: www.victimsupport.org
Victim Support is a charity that provides support and information to people affected by crime, including rape and sexual abuse, as a victim or a witness. The website provides details of local support branches.
NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood)
P O BOX 63632 London SW9 1BF
support line: 0800 085 3330 (times vary on different days - see website for details and for freephone numbers for different mobile phone networks)
email: via website
web: www.napac.org.uk
NAPAC is the only national freephone support line for men or women who are adult survivors of any kind of childhood abuse. The support line is staffed by people with an in-depth understanding of the effects of abuse. You can contact them just to get things off your chest, to discuss action you might want to take or to find out about expertise and resources available locally and nationally. The website also provides a comprehensive list of resources, including publications, a book list and legal advice.
TANSAL (The Abuse Network Survivor Aid Links)
web: tansal.50megs.com
Provides information on books, training, UK events and links for survivors of sexual, physical, emotional or mental abuse and neglect during childhood, and those supporting survivors.
ChildLine
helpline: 0800 1111 (24 hours)
web: www.childline.org.uk
Confidential telephone counselling service for children about any issue.
Kidscape
web: www.kidscape.org.uk
Telephone advice for parents with concerns about school bullying and child sexual abuse. Child protection advice leaflets available on website.
NSPCC
helpline: 0808 800 5000 (24 hours daily)
email: help@nspcc.org.uk
web: www.nspcc.org.uk
For anyone who needs advice, help or information regarding a child's welfare and for those who want to report concerns they have about a child or young person at risk of abuse.
YoungMinds
Suite 11, Baden Place, Crosby Row, London, SE1 1YW
helpline (for parents): 0808 802 5544
email: enquiries@youngminds.org.uk
web: www.youngminds.org.uk
Deals with all issues affecting the emotional and mental wellbeing of children and young people, and empowering their parents and carers. Produces useful publications, including a leaflets: Sexually abused? (pdf).
Action on Elder Abuse
PO Box 60001, Streatham SW16 9BY
helpline (UK): 0808 808 8141
email: enquiries@elderabuse.org.uk
web: www.elderabuse.org.uk
Helpline for anyone concerned in any way about the abuse of older people.
Respond
3rd floor, 24-32 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2HD
helpline: 0808 808 0700 (Open Fridays 12.30 pm – 4 pm)
email: admin@respond.org.uk
web: www.respond.org.uk
Respond provides a range of services to people with learning disabilities, including both victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse. It also provides support and training for families, carers and professionals. Mental health professionals can refer people with learning difficulties who have experienced or perpetrated sexual abuse for face to face work.
Voice UK
Rooms 100-106, Kelvin House, RTC Business Centre, London Road, Derby DE24 8UP
helpline: 0808 802 8686 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
email: voice@voiceuk.org.uk
web: www.voiceuk.org.uk
Supports people with learning difficulties who have experienced crime or abuse, and their families, carers and professionals.
Refuge
helpline: 0808 2000 247 (Freephone 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge)
email: info@refuge.org.uk
web: refuge.org.uk
Women's Aid (England)
helpline:0808 2000 247 (Freephone 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge)
email: helpline@womensaid.org.uk The National Domestic Violence Helpline can only offer limited information by email as they don't have the resources to provide on-going support or in-depth information in this way. When you email the Helpline it's very important that you specify when and if it is safe to respond and to which email address.
email: info@womensaid.org.uk
web: www.womensaid.org.uk
Welsh Womens Aid
helpline: 0808 80 10 800
email: via website
web: www.welshwomensaid.org.uk
Men's Advice Line
Helpline: 0808 801 0327 (Monday - Friday 10am -1pm and 2pm - 5pm)
email: info@mensadviceline.org.uk
web: www.mensadviceline.org.uk
Confidential helpline for all men (whether in heterosexual or same-sex relationships) experiencing domestic violence by a current or ex-partner.
Ashiana Sheffield
helpline: 0114 255 5740
email: info@ashianasheffield.org.uk
web: www.ashianasheffield.org
Aims to help prevent murder and serious harm to black, Asian, minority ethnic and refugee women in England, Wales and Scotland as a result of domestic abuse and forced marriage and honour-based violence. Also supports children and young people.
Broken Rainbow
helpline: 0300 999 5428 Open Monday: 2pm - 8pm, Wednesday: 10am - 5pm,Thursday: 2pm - 8pm
email: help@broken-rainbow.org.uk
web: www.broken-rainbow.org.uk
Provides support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people experiencing domestic violence.
Respect
Respect phoneline: 0808 802 4040 (Open: Monday - Friday 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm)
email: info@respectphoneline.org.uk
web: www.respectphoneline.org.uk
Runs support services and programmes for people who inflict violence in relationships including young men and women. Also runs the men's advice line, as above.
Respect not fear
web: www.respectnotfear.co.uk
Website for young people about domestic violence.
The Hide Out
web: www.thehideout.org.uk/over10
Women's Aid has created this website to help young people understand domestic abuse, and how to take positive action if it's happening to them.
The Forced Marriage Unit
tel: 020 7008 0151
email: fmu@fco.gov.uk
web: www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/when-things-go-wrong/forced-marriage
A joint-initiative between the Foreign Office and the Home Office. It assists actual and potential victims of forced marriage, as well as professionals working in the social, educational and health sectors.
Lifecentre
PO Box 58, Chichester PO19 8UD
adult helpline: 0844 847 7879
under 18s helpline: 0808 802 0808
email: via website
web: www.lifecentre.uk.com
Telephone counselling for survivors of sexual abuse and those supporting survivors. Also offers face-to-face counselling and art therapy groups in West Sussex.
HAVOCA (Help for Adult Victims of Child Abuse)
Ross Cottage, Northwick Road, Pilning BS35 4HB
email (support): friend@havoca.org
web: www.havoca.org
Provides information to any adult who is suffering from past childhood abuse. Website includes survivors' forum.
CIS'ters (Childhood Incest Survivors)
PO Box 119, Eastleigh SO50 92F
tel: 023 8033 8080
email: admin@cisters.org.uk
Provides help and support for adult women who suffered incest as a child. Organises workshops and conferences to raise awareness on the issues surrounding incest, particularly mental distress.
Rape Crisis (England and Wales)
BCM Box 4444, London WC1N 3XX
National Freephone helpline: 0808 802 9999 (12 -12.30 pm, 7 - 9.30 pm every day of the year)
email: info@rapecrisis.org.uk
web: www.rapecrisis.org.uk
Lists local organisations throughout England and Wales with contact details, services offered and opening times. Services are available to women who have been sexually abused at any time in their lives.
AMSOSA (Adult Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse)
helpline: 0845 430 9371 (weekdays 10am - 4pm; Wed 7 - 9pm)
email: via website
web: www.amsosa.com
Helpline support and web forum for non-offending adult male survivors of childhood or adult sexual abuse.
Mankind
PO Box 124, Newhaven BN9 9TQ
tel: 01273 510 447
email: admin@mankindcounselling.org.uk
web: www.mankindcounselling.org.uk
Provides one-to-one counselling, therapeutic groups and couple counselling to men (age 18+) who have experienced sexual abuse at any time in their lives.
Survivors UK
Ground floor, 34 Great James St, WC1N 3HB
helpline: 0845 122 1201
email: info@survivorsuk.org
web: www.survivorsuk.org
Provides support for men who have been raped or sexually abused. Helpline takes calls from the whole of the UK. Also provides face-to-face counselling and support groups in the London area.
Action for Children
tel: 0300 123 2112
email: ask.us@actionforchildren.org.uk
web: www.actionforchildren.org.uk
Voluntary organisation whose services include specialist treatment centres for sexually abused children.
Mosac
141 Greenwhich High Road, London SE10 8JA
helpline: 0800 980 1958
email: enquiries@mosac.org.uk
web: www.mosac.org.uk
Mosac is a voluntary organisation supporting non-abusing parents and carers whose children have been sexually abused, providing support, advice, information and counselling following the discovery of sexual abuse.
Stop it Now !
Bordesley Hall, The Holloway, Alvechurch, Birmingham, B48 7QA
helpline: 0808 1000 900 (Mon-Thurs 9am - 9pm; Fri 9am - 7pm)
confidential email support line: help@stopitnow.org.uk
web: www.stopitnow.org.uk
Stop it Now! has a confidential freephone helpline for people struggling with sexual thoughts and behaviours towards children. The helpline will also support anyone with a concern, including the parents and carers of children and young people with worrying sexual behaviour, and friends and family worried about the behaviour of another adult.
Many of the other organisations listed on this page also provide web forums or links to forums and chat rooms.
AEST (Abused Empowered Survive Thrive)
www.aest.org.uk
This website provides links to over 60 support forums and chat rooms and information for male and female survivors of childhood or adult sexual abuse or rape. It also provides links relating to panic attacks, eating disorders and self-harm.
See Mind's factsheet Abuse by health and social care workers
The organisations below can help you find a suitably qualified counsellor.
Also see Mind's booklets:
Understanding talking treatments
Making sense of counselling
British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT)
24-27 White Lion Street, London N1 9PD
tel: 020 7686 4216
email: info@baat.org
web: www.baat.org
Art therapy can be a useful way to explore and express the many feelings associated with child sexual abuse, including anger. BAAT can give details of therapists in your area.
British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)
tel. 0161 705 4304
web: www.babcp.com
A full directory of psychotherapists is available on the website.
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
BACP House, 15 St John's Business Park, Lutterworth LE17 4HB
tel: 01455 883 316 (for people looking for a suitable counsellor)
email: bacp@bacp.co.uk
web: www.bacp.co.uk
Use the website to search online for a therapist, or write for a list of local practitioners, enclosing an A5 stamped addressed envelope.
United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
2nd Floor, Edward House 2 Wakley Street EC1V 7LT
tel. 020 7014 9955
email: info@ukcp.org.uk
web: www.psychotherapy.org.uk
Professional body with a voluntary register of psychotherapists. Also deals with complaints against member organisations and therapists.