Rape and sexual abuse

Aurora New Dawn

Across the UK

• Domestic abuse
• Stalking
• Rape and sexual abuse
• Armed forces

Serving members of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, and their family members, who are experiencing domestic abuse, sexual violence or stalking. Its Armed Forces team gives one-to-one support and advocacy, including through the Service or criminal justice system, and recovery groups; it supports women and men aged 16 and over, in the UK or overseas. The service is free, confidential and independent of the chain of command, whether or not you have reported to the police.

Galop

Across the UK

• Domestic abuse
• Rape and sexual abuse
• LGBT+ people

LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse or violence, including domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime and conversion practices, and the friends, family and professionals worried about them. Its helpline gives emotional support and helps you explore your options, and its advocates and caseworkers can give longer-term support. It also supports LGBT+ young people aged 13 to 25.

• Domestic abuse
• Honour-based abuse and forced marriage
• Rape and sexual abuse
• Faith settings
• Women

Jewish women and children affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence. Its sexual violence service is for Jewish women and girls aged 16 and over, however long ago it happened and whoever did it, including a community member or leader, with advocacy, practical and emotional support and counselling. It also supports women facing Gett refusal (when a Jewish divorce is withheld) or forced marriage.

MACSAS (Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors)

• Rape and sexual abuse
• If you were abused as a child
• Faith settings

Women and men sexually abused, as children or as adults, by ministers, clergy or others acting for a church, and their relatives, whether or not they are still part of a church. It is run by volunteers who are survivors themselves. It offers a helpline with limited hours, support by email and letter, and advocacy, such as help in dealing with the police or the church.

Mankind UK

England and Wales

• Rape and sexual abuse
• Men and boys

People aged 18 and over who were sexually abused or assaulted at any time in their lives and want a male-focused service, including non-binary, trans and intersex people. Counselling online across England and Wales, or face to face in Hove, Sussex, at no charge or for a donation; you refer yourself online and there is a waiting list. It is not a crisis service, and it is a different charity from the ManKind Initiative.

Nexus NI

Northern Ireland

• Domestic abuse
• Rape and sexual abuse
• If you were abused as a child

People aged 8 and over affected by sexual abuse, in childhood or as an adult: specialist counselling across Northern Ireland after you refer yourself. It also manages Northern Ireland’s Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline for anyone aged 18 and over affected by domestic or sexual abuse, and for people worried about someone.

One in Four

London

• Rape and sexual abuse
• If you were abused as a child

Adults who were sexually abused as children, or who have experienced sexual violence. It offers long-term one-to-one counselling for adults over 18, for which it asks a contribution, and groups and workshops; its counselling rooms are in south and north London. Its free ISVA service supports adult survivors of child sexual abuse who are thinking about reporting to the police.

Rape Crisis England & Wales

England and Wales

• Rape and sexual abuse
• If you were abused as a child

Anyone of any gender aged 16 and over in England and Wales who has been affected by rape, child sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment or any other sexual violence, whenever it happened, and the people supporting them, through its 24/7 Support Line. Its member Rape Crisis centres give free, confidential local support, such as counselling and group work, and many also support children and young people.

Rape Crisis Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

• Rape and sexual abuse

Anyone aged 16 and over who has experienced rape or serious sexual assault as an adult. Free, confidential one-to-one support with a male or female support worker, at locations across Northern Ireland or by phone or Zoom; it is not counselling. You do not need to have reported to the police.

Rape Crisis Scotland

Scotland

• Rape and sexual abuse

People of all genders aged 13 and over living in Scotland who have been affected by sexual violence, however long ago, and their family, friends and supporters. Its helpline gives short-term, crisis and initial support, and can put you in touch with a local Rape Crisis centre for longer-term support. Its National Advocacy Service supports people who are thinking about reporting or going through the justice process.

Safe Spaces England and Wales

England and Wales

• Rape and sexual abuse
• If you were abused as a child
• Faith settings

Adults aged 18 and over who were abused by someone in the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales, or harmed through their link with the Church, as a child or as an adult, recently or long ago. Trained advocates give free, confidential emotional support, practical help and advocacy, and you do not need to have reported the abuse. It is run by First Light and funded by the Church of England’s Archbishops’ Council and the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency, but says it is independent of the Church.

Safeline

England and Wales

• Rape and sexual abuse
• Men and boys
• Children and young people

Anyone aged 3 and over affected by sexual abuse, and their families: free counselling and therapy face to face in Warwickshire, and by phone or online across England and Wales for people aged 16 and over who were abused as children. It runs the National Male Survivor Helpline for men, boys and non-binary people affected by sexual abuse, and the people who support them.

Salute Her UK

• Rape and sexual abuse
• Women
• Armed forces

Women serving in the Armed Forces, women veterans and women at sea affected by sexual assault, bullying or harassment. Trauma-informed counselling and therapy, groups, courses and workshops in a women-only setting, face to face or online.

Scottish Women’s Rights Centre

Scotland

• Domestic abuse
• Honour-based abuse and forced marriage
• Stalking
• Rape and sexual abuse
• Women

Women aged 16 and over in Scotland who have been affected by violence or abuse, including stalking, domestic abuse, rape and forced marriage. It gives free and confidential legal information, advice and representation, and advocacy support. Its advocacy helpline is the first point of contact, and volunteer solicitors run a free legal advice line.

• Domestic abuse
• Rape and sexual abuse
• Women

Women living in parts of London affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence, and people worried about them. Its free Advice Line can refer you on to its refuges, advocacy, counselling and children’s services, and it also runs a Rape Crisis service. Some of its borough services also support men.

The Survivors Trust

Across the UK

• Rape and sexual abuse

People of any gender affected by rape, sexual violence or sexual abuse, whenever it happened, and the people who support them. Its national helpline, for people aged 16 and over, gives emotional support, information and signposting. Its member organisations across the UK and Ireland offer counselling, advocacy, peer support and emotional support.

SurvivorsUK

Across the UK

• Rape and sexual abuse
• Men and boys

Men, boys, trans and non-binary people who have experienced sexual abuse at any time in their lives, and the people who support them. Its national helpline and its group work (mostly online) are open to anyone in the UK; counselling (age 13 and over) and ISVA support are for people in London.

Trust House

Thames Valley, England (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire)

• Rape and sexual abuse
• Children and young people

For people of any age and gender who live in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire or Oxfordshire and have been affected by rape or sexual abuse, recently or in the past, and for the people who support them. It offers free counselling for adults, therapy for children and young people aged 4 to 21, and independent sexual violence advisers (ISVAs and ChISVAs). You can refer yourself, and there is a waiting list.

We Stand (formerly Mosac)

Across the UK

• Rape and sexual abuse
• Parents and carers

For non-abusing parents and carers of children who have been sexually abused. It offers a helpline, counselling, family support, and legal advice and support, and you reach all its services through the helpline.

• Domestic abuse
• Rape and sexual abuse
• Women

Runs the Live Fear Free Helpline, the national helpline for Wales, for anyone who has experienced domestic abuse, sexual violence or violence against women, or is worried about someone. Staff listen, help you think about your safety and options, and tell you about local services. You can get support in Welsh, English and other languages.