expert organisations for comment or to signpost in your work
There are a large number of organisations who exist to provide help and support to individuals who have been harmed through sexual offences. Please note that the following list is not exhaustive.
Rape Crisis England and Wales
Rape Crisis England & Wales is a feminist organisation that supports the work of Rape Crisis Centres across England and Wales. They are the national umbrella body for a network of autonomous member Rape Crisis Centres across England and Wales. They currently have 39 member Rape Crisis Centres.
Email:
media@rapecrisis.org.uk (not staffed 24 hours)
Rape Crisis Scotland
Rape Crisis Scotland is Scotland’s leading organisation working to transform attitudes, improve responses and ultimately to end rape and sexual violence in all its forms. Rape Crisis Scotland and its 17 member centres are committed to adhering to the Rape Crisis National Service Standards (RCNSS).
Email:
brenna.jessie@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk or text/call: 07936362932.
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is a human rights organisation which works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.
Angles Project
This project aims to improve how sexual and domestic abuse is reported in London and UK-targeted media, leading to better understanding of the crimes, the experiences of victims, perpetrators’ profiles and increased conviction rates. Angles offers a network of spokespeople in the sector.
The Survivors Trust
The Survivors Trust is the largest umbrella agency for specialist rape and sexual abuse services in the UK and has been providing infrastructure support to our members for the past 15 years. We have 124 member agencies based in the UK and Ireland providing information, advice, support and therapy to over 80,000 individual survivors each year.
Safeline
Safeline offers a range of services which includes a national male survivor email support service, live chat, phone and text service for anyone who identifies as male and for those who are supporting a male survivor of sexual harm living in England and Wales.
1in6
1in6 offer practical advice and support for male victims of sexual offences and harm. They offer a range of services including a helpline, alone with practical information on issues like self-care during flashbacks, breathing exercises and help with nightmares.
Imkaan
Imkaan is a UK-based Black feminist organisation dedicated to addressing violence against Black and minoritised women and girls.
Breaking the Silence
Breaking the Silence offers advice and support to Black and Asian men who have experienced sexual offences and harm.
Galop
Galop provide support to LGBT+ individuals who have experienced abuse and violence.
NSPCC
The NSPCC work to prevent abuse and help rebuild children’s lives and support their families.
Victim Support
Victim Support is an independent charity which supports people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales.
Survivors UK
Established as a service for male survivors, SurvivorsUK provides services to anyone who identififes as male, trans, non-binary, or has identified as male in the past. Information about press enquiries can be found online.
Women Against Rape
Women Against Rape (WAR) is a multi-racial women’s group which provides rights information and provides support and advocacy. Information for journalists can be found at…
Women's aid
Women’s Aid is a national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. Information for journalists can be found at…
rights of women
Rights of Women are a women’s charity working to help women through the law. They offer services to provide women with the legal advice and information they need to understand and use the law and their legal rights. Information for journalists is available at…
Southall Black Sisters
Southall Black Sisters are a group of black and minority women with years of experience of struggling for women’s rights in the UK. An online contact form can be found at…
End Violence Against Women Coalition
The EVAWC is a coalition of specialist women’s support services, researchers, activists, survivors, and Non Government Organisations, working to end violence against women and girls in all its forms. Media enquiry information can be found at…
Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse
The IICSA was established in 2015 and is a statutory inquiry investigating where institutions failed to protect children in their care. Media enquires and further information at…
respect
Respect offers a helpline for male victims of domestic abuse. Details of how to contact Respect can be found at…
National Assoc for People Abused in Childhood
NAPAC is a national organisation which offers support to adult survivors of all types of childhood abuse including sexual, physical and emotional abuse and neglect. Information for journalists and media guidelines for reporting child abuse can be found at…
hourglass
One in six older people are victims of abuse. Hourglass’ mission is to end the harm, abuse and exploitation of older people in the UK. Information for journalists can be found at…
refuge
Refuge provides specialist support to women, children and some men escaping domestic violence and other forms of violence. Information for journalists is available at…
Mind
Mind provides advice and support to empower individuals experiencing mental health problems and campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. Mind provides a range of services to members of the media.
Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
A full list of named press officers and media contacts for local and national media is available on the CPS website.
Ministry of Justice
The Ministry of Justice is a government department which is responsible for courts, prisons, probation services and attendance centres.
National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC)
The NPCC brings together police forces in the UK. Media enquire information including urgent out of hours contact information is available on the NPCC website.
The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC)
The APCC is the national membership body for Police and Crime Commissioners (and Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners). For media enquiries email media@apccs.police.uk or visit
crimestoppers
Crimestoppers is a charity that gives people the power to speak up and stop crime 100% anonymously. Information for journalists can be found at…
NHS England (which commission Sexual Assault Referral Centres)
Information about media enquiries is available at…
Victims Commissioner
Information about media enquiries is available at…
Please note that this list of organisations is not exhaustive.
