Child sexual abuse and exploitation has profound and lasting impacts on victims and survivors, their families, and those close to them. The work of this Inquiry may be distressing and bring difficult and traumatic feelings and experiences to the surface.
Whatever you are feeling, support is available. You do not have to face this alone.
If you are in crisis
If you are unable to keep yourself safe, or are having thoughts of self-harm or ending your life that you may act on, please seek help immediately:
- Go to any hospital or A&E department, or book an emergency appointment with your GP
- Call 999 and ask for an ambulance
- For non-emergency health advice, call the NHS on 111
- If you need urgent support but do not want to contact health services, call the Samaritans 24/7 helpline on 116 123 (free, any time, day or night)
Specialist support organisations
The following organisations offer free, confidential information, advice and support to victims and survivors, their families, and those who care about them. They are independent of the Inquiry.
Medical and practical support
NHS Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) — SARCs offer medical, practical, and emotional support to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted, or abused at any time in their life. You do not need to involve the police or report what happened to access this support.
SARCs are located across England and Wales and support people of all ages, sexes, sexual orientations, and gender identities.
They are staffed by health and wellbeing professionals providing specialist care including emotional support, medical examinations, emergency contraception, and referrals to sexual health, mental health, and counselling services. Find your nearest SARC.
Support for children and young people
- NSPCC — The UK’s leading children’s charity, with specialist support for children who have experienced or are at risk of sexual abuse
- Barnardo’s — Compassionate support for children, young people, and their families
- The Children’s Society — A dedicated charity for young people to talk about their experiences and how they are feeling
- Catch22 — Support for young people, parents, and carers, with the aim of preventing or stopping child exploitation
Support for adult survivors
- Rape Crisis England & Wales — Specialist services for those affected by sexual violence and abuse, including a 24/7 sexual violence support line for people aged 16 and over
- NAPAC (The National Association for People Abused in Childhood) — Helping adult survivors of any form of child abuse take their first steps towards support
- The Survivors Trust — An umbrella organisation with over 120 member organisations across the UK and Ireland providing specialist support to rape and sexual abuse survivors
- SARSAS — Support for people of all genders affected by rape or any kind of sexual assault or abuse at any time in their lives
- Victim Support — Free, confidential 24-hour support for people affected by crime or traumatic events
- The Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse — Helpful resources for adult survivors of child sexual abuse.
Support for male survivors
- 1in6.uk — Free online counselling and self-help resources for survivors who self-identify as male
- National Male Survivor Helpline and Online Support Service (Safeline) — Operated by Safeline: A dedicated service for adults and children in England and Wales affected by rape or sexual abuse who identify as male, and for those supporting them
Support for LGBT+ survivors
- Galop — A UK LGBT+ anti-abuse charity with a dedicated sexual violence helpline for LGBT+ people who have experienced sexual assault, violence, or abuse
Support for families and those supporting survivors
- Ivison Trust — A national charity dedicated to supporting parents whose children have been sexually or criminally exploited
- Restitute — Practical and personalised support for people who care for survivors of sexual or violent crime
- Safeline — A specialist charity working to prevent sexual abuse and support those affected to cope and recover
Support for women
- Beyond the Streets — A UK charity working with women to end sexual exploitation and supporting those seeking to leave exploitation behind
- Cyfannol Women’s Aid — Specialist support for individuals, especially women and children, who have experienced domestic or sexual abuse, harm, or violence
Practical and legal support
- Citizens Advice — Free, confidential information and advice on money, legal, consumer, and other problems
Concerned about a child?
- Stop it Now (Lucy Faithfull Foundation) — Confidential support for anyone worried about a child, or concerned about their own thoughts or behaviours towards children
Find further help and information
The following resources can help you find local and national support services:
- The Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse directory — Find help for yourself or others affected by child sexual abuse in England and Wales
- Sexual Abuse Support — Information about the range of support available to you
- Support following a rape or sexual assault — Ministry of Justice guidance to help you access services, understand your options, and find contact details
- When You Are Ready — A national campaign to help victims and survivors feel seen and heard, and to take that step towards support when they are ready to do so
The organisations listed on this page are widely recognised for the support they provide. This is not an exhaustive list, there may be other organisations better placed to help you, or that you feel more comfortable contacting. We encourage you to reach out to wherever feels right for you.