Support services for sexual abuse (including online sexual abuse)
Sexual abuse is any unwanted sexual act or activity, this includes:
Sexual abuse can be perpetrated by:
- a stranger,
- or by someone known and even trusted, like a
- friend,
- colleague,
- family member,
- partner or ex-partner.
Sexual abuse can happen to anyone. No-one ever deserves or asks for it to happen.
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Sexual coercion
The act of using pressure, alcohol or drugs, or force to have sexual contact with someone against their will and includes persistent attempts to have sexual contact with someone who has already refused.
Examples of sexual abuse/sexual harassment
- Continuing to touch/kiss someone who looks awkward or freezes
- Repeatedly asking someone to share ‘nudes’ when they have avoided the conversation or not acknowledged the request
- Someone making sexual comments about you and you feel uncomfortable
- Putting someone under pressure to have sexual contact with you
- Someone who gives you a gift and expects you to perform a sexual act in return
- Believing someone means ‘yes’ when they have said ‘no’
Rape myths
Rape myths are damaging myths about sexual abuse which can leave the victim feeling shame, guilt and prevent them accessing support because they fear being judged or not believed. These myths are believed by friends, family and society, which can affect how the victim is treated if they disclose the abuse. It is extremely important to challenge rape myths so that people better understand sexual abuse and victims feel able to tell someone about abuse.
Examples of rape myths
- She was too drunk, she shouldn’t have got herself in that state and then she wouldn’t have been raped
- Men can’t get raped
- Women lie about rape because they regret having sex
- There’s no scratches on him and she didn’t fight him off, so it wasn’t rape
- She was wearing revealing clothes; she wanted the sexual attention
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Sexual abuse support services
Tower Hamlets support
Tower Hamlets Support
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The Havens
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Specialist centres in London for anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted. Services provided include first aid, emergency contraception, practical advice, optional forensic medical examination, medical aftercare and specialist support such as counselling, psychology and advocacy.
All services are provided without clients having to report the assault or rape to the police
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24/7 - urgent advice & appointments
Tel: 020 3299 6900
020 3299 1599 (non-urgent enquiries)
Professionals
Haven Whitechapel, for professional enquiries
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Tel: 020 3299 6901
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East London Rape Crisis Centre (NIA)
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Specialist Support Services for Women and Girls Affected by Sexual and Domestic Violence
- Confidential Helpline: Anonymous telephone support for survivors, their families, and professionals.
- Counselling: Trauma-informed individual therapy for women and girls.
- Pre-Trial Therapy: Play therapy for children and their carers.
- Advocacy Services: Independent Sexual Violence Advocates (ISVAs) and Young Women & Girls Advocates offering emotional and practical support.
- Domestic Abuse Support: Tailored services for women affected by domestic violence.
- Specialist Refuge Provision: Safe accommodation for women excluded from mainstream refuges, including those with substance use issues or involved in sexual exploitation.
- Community Outreach: Therapeutic groups, workshops, drop-ins, and night-time outreach across London boroughs.
Coverage: Hackney, Havering, Tower Hamlets, Newham, Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham.
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Address: PO Box 58203, London, N1 3XP
Helpline: 0800 160 1036
Email: rapecrisis@niaendingviolence.org.uk
Professionals, please contact via email and not the helpline.
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Solace
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Provides specialist services for victims of serious and violent crime, including rape and sexual assault.
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Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm
Additional 6pm to 8pm on Tuesday
Advice line: 0808 8025 565
Email: advice@solacewomensaid.org
Rape crisis helpline
Monday and Friday, 10am to 2pm
Tuesday, 10am to 1pm
Wedneday, 6pm to 8pm
Thursday, 1pm to 5pm
Tel: 0808 8010 305
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Pan London and national services
Pan London and national services
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Ministry of Justice
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Advice and support for those who are experiencing or feel at risk of sexual violence and abuse.
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Check GOV.UK for more help.
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National Rape Crisis Helpline
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Specialist support for victims and survivors of sexual abuse. Call for confidential support and/or information about your nearest services.
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Monday to Sunday 12pm to 2:30pm and 7pm to 9:30pm
Tel: 0808 802 9999
Webchat
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Survivors UK
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Provide a national online helpline, individual and group counselling for boys, men and non-binary people aged 13+ who have experienced sexual violence at any time in their lives. Survivors UK offer emotional support through the justice system, support for friends and families of survivors, and training for professionals and organisations.
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Monday to Sunday, 12pm to 8pm
Enquiries about counselling
Tel: 020 3598 3898
Support via text
Tel: 020 3322 1860
Email: help@survivorsuk.org
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London Survivors Gateway
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Provide information on what help is available in London after rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse or any form of sexual violence and offer support to access these services.
They work with anyone aged 13 or above regardless of gender, sexuality, disability, language, ethnicity or immigration status.
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Monday, 9am to 5pm
Tuesday, 9am to 7pm
Wednesday, 9:30am to 3:30pm
Thursday, 9am to 7pm
Friday, 9am to 3pm
Tel: 0808 801 0860
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All East London
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Offers a walk in Sexual health service including:
- STI testing,
- STI treatment,
- rapid/same day HIV testing,
- free pregnancy testing,
- emergency contraception,
- contraception and reproductive health,
- sexual health,
- HIV advice and support,
- talking therapies and counselling.
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Email: bhnt.akc-reception@nhs.net
Tel: 020 7480 4737
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TFL
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Report it, Stop it
90% of unwanted sexual behaviour on London transport goes unreported. We want you to feel confident on your journey and know exactly where to turn if you need help. If you experience anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, you can report by text or phone
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Text: 61016
Tel: 101
Freephone: 0800 40 50 40
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Online sexual abuse
Online sexual abuse
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Revenge Porn Helpline
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Free, confidential advice and support.
Whilst they cannot guarantee removal of all images online, they have partnerships with internet industry partners that allow them to minimise the reach, and some of the harm caused by revenge porn.
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Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm
(excluding bank holidays)
Tel: 0345 6000 459
Email: help@revengepornhelpline.org.uk
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Child Exploitation and Online Protection command (CEOP)
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Works to keep children safe from sexual abuse and sexual grooming online. They work with child protection partners across the UK and overseas to identify the main threats to children and coordinate activity against these threats to bring offenders to account.
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Helpline: 0800 1111
childline.org.uk
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Professionals Online Safety Helpline
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A free service for professionals working with children and young people. It provides signposting, advice and mediation, to resolve online safety issues staff face about themselves, such as protecting professional identity and online harassment, or problems affecting young people, for example cyber-bullying or sexting issues.
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Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm
Email: helpline@saferinternet.org.uk
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UK Safer Internet Centre
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Provides e-safety tips, advice and resources to help children and young people stay safe online.
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Tel: 0344 8002 382
enquiries@saferinternet.org.uk
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VAWG service directory
You can find lots of other useful services on the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) service directory homepage.