Victim and witness services
Information on accessing victim and witness support services.
Applies to England and Wales
To ensure that all victims and witnesses of crime receive the support they need, the following specialist helplines are available to assist you:
Support for victims and witnesses of crime
Victim Support
Victim Support operates a free and confidential 24/7 Supportline and live chat service, every day of the year - offering specialist support to anyone who has been a victim of crime or a witness. If you’d prefer to access interactive self-support guides, visit My Support Space.
Telephone: 0808 16 89 111
Live chat: victimsupport.org.uk/live-chat
My Support Space: mysupportspace.org.uk/MoJ
More information can be found at www.victimsupport.org.uk
Support for victims of sexual violence and abuse
https://sexualabusesupport.campaign.gov.uk/ provides a list of support services for victims of sexual violence and abuse.
Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs)
Sexual assault referral centres - or SARCs - provide a safe space and dedicated care, through the NHS, for people who have been raped, sexually assaulted or abused and are here for everyone, regardless of when the incident happened. They are located across the country and offer specialist practical, medical and emotional support 24/7. These services are commissioned by NHS England and NHS Improvement and police and crime commissioners.
SARCs offer a range of services, including crisis care, medical and forensic examinations, emergency contraception and testing for sexually transmitted infections. They can also arrange access to an independent sexual violence advisor, as well as referrals to mental health support and voluntary sector sexual violence support services.
If you have been raped, sexually assaulted or abused and don’t know where to turn, search ‘sexual assault referral centres’ to find out more or head to www.nhs.uk/SARCs to find your nearest service.
The National Male Survivor Helpline and Online Service
The National Male Survivor Helpline is a confidential helpline for male victims of sexual violence and abuse. They also provide emotional support via telephone, SMS (text), live chat and email.
Phone: 0808 800 5005
Email: support@safeline.org.uk
Text: 07860 065187
Please access our live chat service via our website at www.safeline.org.uk/contact-us/
More information including opening hours can be found on www.safeline.org.uk
Information including opening hours for the National Male Rape and Sexual Abuse online helpline can be found at www.survivorsuk.org or by contacting:
Email: help@survivorsuk.org
SMS: 020 3322 1860
WhatsApp: 07491 816064
The Survivors Trust
The Survivors’ Trust offer a free and confidential helpline to any survivor anywhere in the UK and Ireland that feels like they need to talk.
Phone: 08088 010 818
More information including opening hours can be found at www.thesurvivorstrust.org/
Rape Crisis England and Wales
The National Helpline offers confidential emotional support, information and referral details.
Phone: 0808 802 9999
Open 24 hours, every day of the year.
More information including opening hours and access to our Live chat service can be found online at https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help/want-to-talk.
Support for victims of domestic abuse
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Please contact: the Freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge: 0808 2000 247
You can also find support and information including opening hours and our live web chat service and secure web contact form - at www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
Women’s Aid
Information including opening hours can be found online at https://www.womensaid.org.uk
Webchat service: chat.womensaid.org.uk
Men’s Advice Line - the helpline for male victims of domestic abuse
Offers non-judgemental emotional support, practical advice and information.
- Telephone and email support: Monday-Friday 9am-8pm
- Email support only: Saturdays and Sundays 10am-12pm and 4-6pm
- Webchat: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 10am-11am and 3-4pm
Call 0808 8010327 (free from landlines and mobile phones)
Email: info@mensadviceline.org.uk
Webchat support via the website https://mensadviceline.org.uk
Further advice and guidance for those who are experiencing or feel at risk of domestic abuse is available.
Use this guide to apply to the family court for a domestic abuse or violence injunction if you don’t have a solicitor to help you.
Find out more about how to identify if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, and how to get help.
NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood)
NAPAC offers support to adult survivors of all types of childhood abuse, including physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect. More information including opening hours can be found on NAPAC’s website which offers a large range of resources for survivors, as well as those who care for and work with them.
Private and confidential helpline: 0808 801 0331
We also offer a support email service for those who feel more comfortable seeking support in writing. Please contact us at support@napac.org.uk.
Karma Nirvana
Supporting victims of honour-based abuse and forced marriage
Phone: 0800 5999 247
Email: support@karmanirvana.org.uk
More information including opening hours can be found online at https://karmanirvana.org.uk
Support if you are worried about hurting someone
If you have concerns that you may commit sexual abuse or sexual violence yourself or are concerned about another person’s behaviour, or a child’s behaviour, you can contact the Stop It Now helpline.
Telephone: 0808 1000 900
More information including opening hours can be found online at Stop It Now.
If you are worried about domestic abuse and hurting the ones you love while staying at home, call the Respect Phoneline for support and help to manage your behaviour.
Telephone: 0808 8024040
More information including opening hours can be found online at Respect Phoneline.
Witness Service
Citizens Advice provide free, independent emotional and practical support to victims and witnesses of crime required to attend court to give evidence.
Self-referrals can be made online on the Citizens Advice website.