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Help and support for victims and survivors
If you encounter anyone in your parish who is a victim/survivor, please signpost them to the safeguarding office, where we have a dedicated victim/survivor caseworker with extensive experience supporting those who have been harmed. If you have serious concerns about their wellbeing, please contact us directly and we can reach out to that person.
However, below is a list of independent local and national support agencies that may be able to help victim/survivors with their needs, which you can provide to people who may benefit from independent support options.
National Organisations
Safe Spaces
A free and independent support service for anyone who has experienced abuse in relation to the Church of England, the Church in Wales or the Catholic Church of England and Wales. This could be abuse by someone who holds any role at the church or is linked to participating in a church-led activity or group.
If you have been affected, however long ago, Safe Spaces can provide you with support. You do not have to have told the police or the church authorities, and you do not have to still be involved with the church. Your information will not be shared without your consent unless you or someone else is in immediate danger.
The Safe Spaces team is available on its helpline:
- Monday-Friday 9am-9pm
- Saturday 9am-1pm
- Sunday 1pm-5pm.
You can also email them or contact them anonymously via the chat facility on their website.
Telephone: 0300 303 1056
Email: safespaces@firstlight.org.uk
Childine
Free and confidential help and advice service for anyone under the age of 19.
Telephone: 0800 1111 (24 hours, 7 days a week)
Galop
Supporting LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence.
Telephone: 0800 999 5428 (LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline. Monday to Friday, 10am – 5pm, and Wednesday and Thursday, 10am – 8pm)
Grief to Grace
Provide a specialised 5-day programme of spiritual and psychological healing for anyone who has suffered sexual, physical, emotional or spiritual abuse in childhood, adolescence or adulthood, including those who are the victims of rape, incest or abuse by a member of the clergy.
Telephone: 020 8154 2719 (Monday to Friday, 10am – 5pm)
Hourglass
(Formerly Action on Elder Abuse) – A charity that works to challenge and prevent the abuse of older people.
Telephone: 0808 808 8141 (24 hours, 7 days a week)
Karma Nirvana
A charity that helps anyone who has been affected by Honour Based Abuse.
Telephone: 0800 5999 247 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm)
Mankind
Help and support for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence.
Telephone: 01823 334244 (Monday to Friday, 10am – 4pm)
Medaille Trust
Provides refuge and freedom from modern slavery.
Telephone: 0800 069 9916 (24 hours, 7 days a week)
Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors (MACSAS)
Supports women and men who have been sexually abused, as children or adults, by ministers, clergy or others under the guise of the Church.
Telephone: 08088 010340 (Saturday, 9am – 11:30am and Wednesday, 7pm – 9:30pm)
The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC)
Offers support to adult survivors of all types of childhood abuse.
Telephone: 0808 801 0331 (Monday to Thursday, 10am – 9pm, and Friday, 10am – 6pm)
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)
The UK’s leading children’s charity.
Telephone: 0808 800 5000 (Monday to Friday, 8am – 10pm, and 9am – 6pm at the weekends)
Rape Crisis England & Wales
Provides specialist information and support to all those affected by rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and all other forms of sexual violence and abuse.
Telephone: 0808 500 2222 (24 hours, 7 days a week)
Refuge
Help for women and children experiencing domestic abuse/violence.
Telephone: 0808 2000 247 (24-Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline)
Replenished
Support for those who have experienced abuse and trauma in a religious context.
Telephone: 07746 153703 (Monday and Tuesday, 9am – 5pm)
Respect
Helpline for male victims of domestic abuse.
Telephone: 0808 801 0327 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 8pm)
Stop It Now
UK wide charity dedicated solely to preventing child sexual abuse.
Telephone: 0808 1000 900 (Monday to Thursday, 9am – 9pm, and Friday, 9am – 5pm)
Unseen
A UK charity that provides safe houses and support in the community for survivors of trafficking and modern slavery.
Telephone: 08000 121 700 (24-Hour Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline)
Women’s Aid
Charity for women and children who are living with domestic abuse.
Local Organisations
Devon
Are you okay?
Help and support for men, women and children in Torbay who need protection from domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
Devon Domestic Abuse Alliance (Excluding Torbay and Plymouth)
Their mission is to provide a safe haven for those affected by domestic abuse, offering resources and support to rebuild their lives.
Telephone: 0808 281 6161 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm and Wednesday, 9am to 8pm)
Devon Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Services
Confidential, professional support for survivors of rape, sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse in Devon.
Telephone: 01392 204174 (Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 6pm – 9pm)
Fear Less
Support for domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking.
Telephone: 0345 155 1074 (Monday to Friday, 9:30am – 4:30pm)
Momentum
Support for male survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
Telephone: 07773 151080 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm)
North Devon Against Domestic Abuse
Temporary refuge for families, single women and children.
Telephone: 01392 370079 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5:30pm)
Plymouth Domestic Abuse Services (PDAS)
Provides support, advice and protection for all victims of domestic abuse.
Telephone: 0800 458 2558 (Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm, and Wednesday, 8am – 8pm)
SAFE Foundation
Supporting families to recover from the trauma of domestic violence and abuse.
Telephone: 03030 300112 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm)
Sexual Abuse Listening Therapy (SALT) South West
Plymouth based charity who provide a listening therapy for adults (aged 16+) survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
Telephone: 01752 600599 (Helpline is manned between 10am-3pm, Monday to Wednesday. You can leave a message outside of these times)
Survivors Alliance North Devon (SAND)
Specialist counselling service for adults who have experienced sexual abuse or rape, and their non-offending family members.
Telephone: 07763 617693
Torbay Domestic Abuse Service (TDAS)
Provide practical, non-judgemental support, advice and protection for all victims of domestic abuse.
Telephone: 0800 916 1474 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm)
Cornwall
CLEAR
Emotional trauma and therapy specialists.
Telephone: 01872 261147 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm)
First Light
Domestic abuse and sexual violence support for all.
Telephone: 0300 777 4777 (Safer Futures Cornwall Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Service. Monday to Friday, 9am – 8pm, and Saturday, 9am – 1pm)
Waves
Domestic violence and abuse counselling service.
Telephone: 07815 136743
The Women’s Centre Cornwall
Specialist provider of services for for women and girls (11 years+) who have experienced any form of sexual violence, rape, sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse and/or domestic abuse at any point in their lives.
Telephone: 01208 77099 (Rape and Sexual Abuse & Domestic Abuse Helpline. Monday to Friday, 10am – 1pm)
Devon and Cornwall
The Bridge Project South West
Support adults and children who have been sexually assaulted, abused or raped.
Telephone: 01208 220212
Operation Emotion
Plymouth based charity for men who have been sexually abused.
Telephone: 07539 810096 (Monday to Friday, 8am – 6pm, and Saturday, 8am – 1pm)
Pegasus Men’s Wellbeing Centre CIC
Specialised support for men (Trauma, childhood trauma, domestic abuse, sexual violence etc).
Telephone: 01209 205785 / 07817 261494 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5:30pm)
Victim Support Devon and Cornwall
Free and confidential support for people affected by crime and traumatic events.
Telephone: 0300 303 0554 (Monday to Friday, 12pm – 6pm) / 0808 1689 111 (Out of hours Support line, 24 hours, 7 days a week)
Dorset
Acts Fast
Support for families, parents, carers and children who have been affected by sexual abuse.
Telephone: 01202 797217 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 4pm)
Sexual Trauma and Recovery Services (STARS)
Support for anyone who has experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their life.
Telephone: 01202 308855 (Monday and Tuesday, 10am – 12pm, and 3pm – 5pm, Wednesday to Friday, 10am – 12pm, 3pm – 5pm and 7:30pm – 9:30pm)
The Shores
Support for victims of rape or serious sexual assault.
Telephone: 0800 970 9954 (24 hours, 7 days a week)
Victim Support Dorset
Free and confidential support for people affected by crime and traumatic events.
Telephone: 0300 3030 163 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 6:30pm) / 0808 1689 111 (Out of hours Supportline, 24 hours, 7 days a week)