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Introduction
Organisations, associations and helplines
For men and women
For women
For men
For or concerning older people
For or concerning children
For people with learning difficulties
For people who have experienced abuse in a ritual setting
For people who have experienced abuse by health and social care workers
For users of mental health services
Web forums
Problems that can be suffered by survivors
Considering counselling
Getting legal assistance
Helping to prevent sexual abuse
Further reading
General publications
Personal experiences
Publications for male survivors
Publications for children and young people
The resources listed in this factsheet give an overview of the kinds of help and services that are available for those who have suffered any kind of sexual abuse, either in childhood or as an adult, and for those who may be concerned about someone who has been abused.
If you have been abused, or fear you have, it can be hard to take the first step in seeking help – especially if you have tried to talk about the issue to friends, family or professionals and have not had a response that helped you. An insensitive response can be a real blow. Many who have survived childhood sexual abuse continue to suffer the ignorance and fear of others in their path to healing.
But the good news is that things are slowly improving, and awareness of the extent of both child and adult sexual abuse, and of the deep and lasting wounds it can cause, is growing at many levels.
If you are new to thinking about this, the array of options may seem bewildering and you may feel unsure about what to expect. Where you start will depend on your personal preference and where you are in your own journey. You may want someone to talk to in confidence who can give you the time and space you need to explore your feelings, and what you want to do next – if anything. You may be at a stage where you would value professional counselling, or you may prefer a self-help ethos and wish to join a group of people with similar experiences. Some people prefer to gain understanding through reading – and there is a wealth of information available. Many organisations also provide web forums where you can discuss problems and issues with other survivors.
Provision varies according to where you are in the country. Many self-help organisations are staffed by volunteers and operate only on a part-time basis, so you may have to telephone a few times before you get a response. Unfortunately small organisations can encounter problems with their telephone systems and, if you feel able to, it is often worth leaving a message as well as calling back at different times in the day. Your local telephone directory or Citizens Advice Bureau may have further information on local organisations.
Good luck – we hope you will find something here that will be helpful to you in your situation.
Some of these organisations though mostly national, may offer particular services in the local area in which they are based, or provide help with particular issues.
Family Matters
13 Wrotham Road, Gravesend DA11 0PA
helpline: 01474 537 392 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) tel: 01474 536 661
email: admin@familymatters.org
web: www.familymattersuk.org
Offers counselling and listening and information to adults and children aged 4 years and over who are survivors of sexual abuse. Also provides group therapy and outreach support in London, Kent and parts of Essex. (Messages left on helpline answerphone are answered as soon as possible.)
HAVOCA (Help for Adult Victims of Child Abuse)
Ross Cottage, Northwick Road, Pilning BS35 4HB
email (support): friend@havoca.org
email (general enquiries): info@havoca.org
web: www.havoca.org
Provides information to any adult who is suffering from past childhood abuse. Website includes survivors' forum.
Lifecentre: SUST (Support for Unwanted Sexual Trauma)
PO Box 58, Chichester PO19 8UD
helpline (adult): 0844 847 7879 (Sun, Mon, Tues, Thurs 7.30-10pm)
helpline (under 18s): 0808 802 0808 (Sun, Mon, Thurs 7.30-10pm; Mon, Wed 3.30-5.30pm)
tel: 01243 786 349
email: info@lifecentre.uk.com
web: www.lifecentre.uk.com
Telephone counselling for survivors of sexual abuse and those supporting survivors. Also offers face-to-face counselling and art therapy groups in West Sussex.
NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood)
42 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH
support line: 0800 085 3330 (times vary on different days - see website for details and for freephone numbers for different mobile phone networks)
tel: 020 8313 9460
email: via website
web: www.napac.org.uk
NAPAC is the only national freephone support line for men or women who are adult survivors of any kind of childhood abuse. The support line is staffed by people with an in-depth understanding of the effects of abuse. You can contact them just to get things off your chest, to discuss action you might want to take or to find out about expertise and resources available locally and nationally. The website also provides a comprehensive list of resources, including publications, a book list and legal advice.
Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service (RASAC)
helpline: 01962 848 024/027 (Mon 11.30am-1.30pm; Tues, Thurs 7-9.30pm)
tel: 01962 848 018
email: rasac@rasac.org.uk
web: www.rasac.org.uk
Provides free, confidential listening, support and information for women and men who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in the lives, and for their friends, families and professionals. Website provides access to ASRS - Abuse Survivors Recovery Support, which provides support forums and a chat room.
Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre
PO Box 315, Hounslow TW3 1QF
helpline: 0808 802 9999 (every day 12-2.30pm, 7-9.30pm)
email: info@rasasc.org.uk
web: www.rasasc.org.uk
Offers free face-to-face counselling (where available), telephone support and group work. Serves Greater London.
Safeline
3 Trinity Mews, Priory Road, Warwick, Warwickshire CV34 4NA
helpline: 0808 800 5005 (Mon-Fri 7.30-9.30pm)
tel (office): 01926 408 315
web: www.safelinewarwick.co.uk
Offers support and information nationwide by telephone for people who have been sexually abused in childhood. One-to-one counselling, befriending and support groups provided in Warwickshire and the Coventry area. Website includes support forums.
Samaritans
PO Box 9090, Stirling FK8 2SA
helpline: 08457 90 90 90 (24 hours)
email: jo@samaritans.org
web: www.samaritans.org
Samaritans provides a confidential 24-hour telephone helpline, and you can also drop in at most Samaritan centres during the day or evening. Although not all volunteers will have specific training or experience in the area of sexual abuse, they offer a compassionate and non-judgmental listening ear to anyone in emotional distress.
TANSAL (The Abuse Network Survivor Aid Links)
web: http://tansal.50megs.com
Provides information on books, training, UK events and links for survivors of sexual, physical, emotional or mental abuse and neglect during childhood, and those supporting survivors.
Victim Support
Victim Supportline, Hannibal House, Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre, London SE1 6TB
Victim Supportline: 0845 30 30 900 (Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat and Sun 9am-7pm)
tel: (office): 020 7268 0200
email: supportline@victimsupport.org.uk
web: www.victimsupport.org
Victim Support is a charity that provides support and information to people affected by crime, including rape and sexual abuse, as a victim or a witness. The website provides details of local support branches.
Black Women's Rape Action Project and Women against Rape
Crossroads Women's Centre, 230a Kentish Town Road, London NW5 2AB
tel: 020 7482 2496 (Mon to Fri 1.30-4pm)
email: bwrap@dircon.co.uk; war@womenagainstrape.net
web: www.womenagainstrape.net
Offers practical support and counselling to black and immigrant women and other women of colour, including asylum seekers. Serves London. Centre opening hours: Tues and Wed 12-4pm, Thurs 5-7pm.
CIS'ters (Childhood Incest Survivors)
PO Box 119, Eastleigh SO50 92F
tel: 023 8033 8080 (Sat 10am-12 midday; answerphone at other times)
email: admin@cisterswanadoo.co.uk
Provides help and support for adult women who suffered incest as a child. Organises workshops and conferences to raise awareness on the issues surrounding incest, particularly mental distress.
Oxford Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre
PO Box 20, Oxford OX4 1DY
Freephone: 0800 783 6294 (Mon, Thurs 6.30-9pm; Fri 11.30am-2pm; Sun 6-8.30pm)
tel: 01865 726 295
web: www.oxfordrapecrisis.net
Offers free confidential telephone support to female survivors of rape, sexual abuse, domestic violence and sexual harassment, whether recent or in the past.
Rape Crisis (England and Wales)
PO Box 39, Bodmin PL31 1XF
email: info@rapecrisis.org.uk
web: www.rapecrisis.org.uk
Lists local organisations throughout England and Wales with contact details, services offered and opening times. Services are available to women who have been sexually abused at any time in their lives. Most members have a great deal of experience in working with people who were abused in childhood, and some can offer face-to-face counselling and support groups as well as telephone support.
AMSOSA (Adult Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse)
161 Victoria Rd, Swindon SN1 3BU
tel (office): 0845 430 9372
helpline: 0845 430 9371 (weekdays 10am-4pm; Wed 7-9pm)
email: via website
web: www.amsosa.com
Helpline support and web forum for non-offending adult male survivors of childhood or adult sexual abuse.
Mankind
PO Box 124, Newhaven BN9 9TQ
tel: 01273 510 447
email: admin@mankindcounselling.org.uk
web: www.mankindcounselling.org.uk
Provides one-to-one counselling, therapeutic groups and couple counselling to men (age 18+) who have experienced sexual abuse at any time in their lives.
Survivors UK
Ground floor, 34 Gt James St, London WC1N 3HB
helpline: 0845 122 1201 (Mon, Tues, Thurs 7-10pm)
tel: 020 7404 6234
email: info@survivorsuk.org
web: www.survivorsuk.org
Provides support for men who have been raped or sexually abused. Helpline takes calls from the whole of the UK. Also provides face-to-face counselling and support groups in the London area.
Action on Elder Abuse
PO Box 60001, Streatham SW16 9BY
tel: 020 8835 9280
helpline (UK): 080 8808 8141
helpline (Eire): 1800 940 010
email: enquiries@elderabuse.org.uk
web: www.elderabuse.org.uk
Helpline for anyone concerned in any way about the abuse of older people
Action for Children
85 Highbury Park, London N5 1UD
tel: 020 7704 7000
web: www.actionforchildren.org.uk
Voluntary organisation whose services include specialist treatment centres for sexually abused children.
ChildLine
Freepost NATN1111, London E1 6BR
helpline: 0800 1111 (24 hours)
helpline for children in care: 0800 88 44 44 (Mon-Fri 3.30-9.30pm, Sat and Sun 2-8pm)
textphone helpline: 0800 400 222 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-9.30pm, Sat and Sun 9.30am-8pm)
web: www.childline.org.uk
Confidential telephone counselling service for children about any issue. ChildLine also runs a dedicated helpline for children who are in foster care, in a children's home, at boarding school or who are long-term hospital patients.
Kidscape
2 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0DH
helpline: 08451 205 204 (Mon-Fri 10am-4pm)
tel: 020 7730 3300
web: www.kidscape.org.uk
Telephone advice for parents with concerns about school bullying and child sexual abuse. Child protection advice leaflets available on website.
Mosac
c/o West Greenwich Community and Arts Centre, 141 Greenwich High Road, London, SE10 8JA
tel: 0800 980 1958
web: www.mosac.org.uk
Mosac is a voluntary organisation supporting non-abusing parents and carers whose children have been sexually abused, providing support, advice, information and counselling following the discovery of sexual abuse. Provides useful help and resources. Please note that at the time of compiling this factsheet the answerphone did not give the organisation's name, but leaving a message got a response.
NSPCC
42 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH
helpline: 0808 800 5000 (24 hours daily)
email: help@nspcc.org.uk
web: www.nspcc.org.uk
For anyone who needs advice, help or information regarding a child's welfare and for those who want to report concerns they have about a child or young person at risk of abuse.
Stop it Now!
PO Box 9841, Birmingham B48 7WB
helpline: 0808 1000 900 (Mon-Thurs 9am-9pm; Fri 9am-7pm)
tel (office): 01527 598 184
email support line: help@stopitnow.org.uk
email (general): office@stopitnow.org.uk
web: www.stopitnow.org.uk
Stop it Now! believes that all adults have a responsibility to prevent child sexual abuse and to know the warning signs that abuse may be taking place. Confidential freephone helpline for people struggling with sexual thoughts and behaviours towards children. Helpline supports anyone with a concern, including the parents and carers of children and young people with worrying sexual behaviour, and friends and family worried about the behaviour of another adult. It produces a range of prizewinning booklets and posters, which can be downloaded from their website.
YoungMinds
48-50 St John Street, London EC1M 4DG
tel: 020 7336 8445
helpline (for parents): 0808 802 5544
email: enquiries@youngminds.org.uk
web: www.youngminds.org.uk
Deals with all issues affecting the emotional and mental wellbeing of children and young people, and empowering their parents and carers. Produces useful publications, including the leaflets Sexually abused? and Do you know someone who has been sexually abused? which can be downloaded from the website.
Respond
3rd floor, 24-32 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2HD
tel (office): 020 7383 0700
helpline: 0808 808 0700
email: admin@respond.org.uk
web: www.respond.org.uk
Respond provides a range of services to people with learning disabilities, including both victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse. It also provides support and training for families, carers and professionals. Mental health professionals can refer people with learning difficulties who have experienced or perpetrated sexual abuse for face-to-face work.
Voice UK
Rooms 100-106, Kelvin House, RTC Business Centre, London Road, Derby DE24 8UP
helpline: 0845 122 8695 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Wed 9am-7pm)
tel (office): 01332 291042
email: voice@voiceuk.org.uk
web: www.voiceuk.org.uk
Supports people with learning difficulties who have experienced crime or abuse, and their families, carers and professionals.
CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse)
PO Box 548, Colchester CO1 1YP
tel (office): 01206 367 881
helpline: 01206 769 795 (24-hour answer machine)
email: admin@caraessex.org.uk
web: www.crcl.org.uk
A confidential support service run by women for women, children and young men under the age of 19 who have suffered any form of sexual violence, past or present, including ritual abuse. Also offers support to families and friends of those abused.
Safe
PO Box 1557, Wiltshire SP1 2TP
helpline: 01722 410 889 (6-8pm daily, except Tues and Sun)
National helpline for people who have been abused in a ritual setting. Please note that at the time of updating this factsheet the answerphone did not give the organisation's name, but leaving a message got a response.
See Mind's factsheet Abuse by health and social care workers
Mind Link
Granta House, 15-19 Broadway, London E15 4BQ
tel: 020 8215 2207
email: mindlink@mind.org.uk
web: see Networks under About Mind section of www.mind.org.uk
Mind's network of mental health service survivors.
Many of the other organisations listed in this resource sheet also provide web forums or links to forums and chat rooms.
Abused But Not Silenced (ABNS)
www.sexualabusesupport.org.uk
Provides support forums run by survivors to provide support and understanding to survivors of childhood sexual abuse and people suffering long-term manifestations such as self-harm, eating disorders, alcohol and drug abuse, dissociative disorders and phobias.
AEST (Abused Empowered Survive Thrive)
www.aest.org.uk
This website provides links to over 60 support forums and chat rooms and information for male and female survivors of childhood or adult sexual abuse or rape. It also provides links relating to panic attacks, eating disorders and self-harm.
Making Daughters Safe Again
http://mdsasupport.homestead.com
US-based website providing support and information about mother-daughter sexual abuse.
"Your health is bound to be affected if, day after day, you say the opposite of what you feel, if you grovel before what you dislike and rejoice at what brings you nothing but misfortune. Our nervous system isn't just a fiction, it's a part of our physical body, and our soul exists in space and is inside us, like the teeth in our mouth. It can't be forever violated with impunity"
Boris Pasternak, Doctor Zhivago; Quoted in Strong at the Broken Places by Linda Sanford
People who have experienced sexual abuse may suffer a variety of health, mental health and relationship problems. To talk about what might be of help to you telephone the Mindinfoline on 0845 766 0163.
Mind has also produced booklets on these topics, which include details of organisations that provide more specific help and support.
How to cope with panic attacks
How to cope with relationship problems
Understanding dissociative disorders
Understanding eating distress
Understanding self-harm
ABNS (Abused But Not Silenced) and AEST (Abused Empowered Survive Thrive) provide links to a variety of forums covering the issues listed above.
The organisations below can help you find a suitably qualified counsellor.
Also see Mind's booklets:
Understanding talking treatments
Making sense of psychotherapy and psychoanalysis
Making sense of counselling
British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT)
24-27 White Lion Street, London N1 9PD
tel: 020 7686 4216
email: info@baat.org
web: www.baat.org
Art therapy can be a useful way to explore and express the many feelings associated with child sexual abuse, including anger. BAAT can give details of therapists in your area.
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
BACP House, 15 St John's Business Park, Lutterworth LE17 4HB
tel: 01455 883 316 (for people looking for a suitable counsellor)
email: bacp@bacp.co.uk
web: www.bacp.co.uk
Use the website to search online for a therapist, or write for a list of local practitioners, enclosing an A5 stamped addressed envelope.
DABS Pathfinder Service
69 Woodberry Way, Walton On The Naze CO14 8EW
helpline: 01255 675 351 (9am-9pm daily although it may be necessary to leave a message)
email: via website
web: www.dabspathfinder.org
This service for survivors of childhood abuse, incest and rape aims to help you find specialist help and counselling in your area. Useful pack and website.
Association of Child Abuse Lawyers (ACAL)
Suite 11, Claremont House, 22-24 Claremont Road, Surbiton KT6 4QU
tel: 020 8390 4701 (Tues, Thurs 10am-1pm, 2-4pm)
email: info@childabuselawyers.com
web: www.childabuselawyers.com
Can provide help with finding a solicitor specialising in child abuse matters.
If you are interested in raising awareness about sexual abuse, or supporting people who have been abused, the following organisations are good starting points.
Local Rape Crisis helplines often need volunteers for helplines or with help behind the scenes - see above for contact details.
Stop it Now! believes that all adults have a responsibility to prevent child sexual abuse and to know the warning signs that abuse may be taking place. In addition to its confidential freephone helpline support, Stop it Now! has produced a range of prizewinning booklets and posters, which can be downloaded from the website or obtained, usually free of charge, from project offices in Derby/Derbyshire, Thames Valley, Surrey, the Black Country and Northern Ireland. If you are able to distribute these locally or are able to undertake educational work locally, local offices would be pleased to hear from you - see page 10 for contact details
Stop Child Abuse Now organises annual rallies in London. Local survivor groups attend from all over the country and distribute materials.
email: info@stopchildabuse.org.uk
web: http://stopchildabuse.org.uk
Internet Watch Foundation runs an nternational website for reporting illegal images of child sexual abuse.
web: www.iwf.org.uk
Below is a selection of the many useful resources available - some practical, some inspirational. The titles listed here do not necessarily reflect Mind's views. Many of the organisations listed above provide reading lists on their websites or in their information packs. For particularly extensive reading lists produced by the NSPCC Safeguarding Information Service go to www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform and then to Library, Reading Lists. These NSPCC reading lists include publications for professionals.
DABS (Directory and Book Services)
4 New Hill, Conisbrough, Doncaster DN12 3HA
tel: 01709 860 023
email: info@dabsbooks.co.uk
web: www.dabsbooks.co.uk
Books and information for adults who were abused as children, for anyone affected by sexual abuse and/or child abuse, as well as for health and social care professionals who need information on where to refer clients for specialist help.
Ainscough, C. and Toon, K. 2000, Breaking free: help for survivors of child sexual abuse, Sheldon Press.
Ainscough, C. and Toon, K. 2000, Breaking free workbook: practical help for survivors of child sexual abuse, Sheldon Press.
Bass, E. and Davis, L. 2002, The courage to heal: a guide for women survivors of child sexual abuse, Vermilion.
Davis, L. 1990, The courage to heal workbook: for women and men survivors of child sexual abuse, HarperCollins.
Blume, S. 1999, Secret survivors: uncovering incest and its after-effects in women, Ballantine.
Daniel, S. 2007, Leaving abuse behind, Dog Ear Publishing.
Kelly, R. and Maxstead, F. 2005, The survivor's guide to recovery from rape or sexual abuse, ROSA.
Kennerley, H. 2000, Overcoming childhood trauma: A self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques, Robinson.
Parks, P. 1994, Rescuing the 'inner child': therapy for adults sexually abused as children, Souvenir Press.
Sanford, LT. 1991, Strong at the broken places; overcoming the trauma of childhood abuse, Virago Press
Willows, J. 2009, Moving on after childhood sexual abuse: understanding the effects and preparing for therapy, Routledge.
Wilson, M. 1993, Crossing the boundary: black women, incest and survival, Virago.
Angelou, M. 1984, I know why the caged bird sings, Virago.
Caine, L. and Royston, R. 2004, Out of the dark, Corgi Adult.
Danica, E. 1989, Don't: a woman's word, The Women's Press.
Fraser, S.1989, My father's house, a memoir of incest and healing, Virago.
Kirk, P. (ed). 1994, A survivor myself: experiences of child abuse, Yorkshire Arts Circus.
Spring, J. 1990, Cry hard and swim: the story of an incest survivor, Virago.
Tomlin, J. and Challinor, K. 2006, Silent sisters, Hodder and Stoughton.
Tomlin, J. 2005, Behind closed doors, Hodder and Stoughton.
Grubman-Black, S. D. 1993, Broken boys/Mending men: Recovery from childhood sexual abuse, Fawcett Books.
Hunter, M. 1993, Abused Boys, The Neglected Victims of Sexual Abuse, Fawcett Books.
Lew, M. 2004, Victims no longer, The classic guide for men recovering from sexual child abuse (Second edition), HarperCollins.
Lew, M. 2000, Leaping upon the mountains: men proclaiming victory over sexual child abuse, North Atlantic Books.
Parynick Mendel, M. 1994, The Male Survivor - The impact of sexual abuse, Sage Publications.
Thomas, T. 1989, Men surviving incest: a male survivor shares the process of recovery, Self Esteem Shop.
Aboff, M. 2003, Uncle Willy's tickles: a child's right to say no, 2nd ed. American Psychological Association.
Bain, O. and Sanders, M. 1990, Out in the open: a guide for young people who have been sexually abused, Virago.
Help me chat safely... on the net... when I email... on my mobile (PDF). Churches' Child Protection Advisory Service. Available at www.ccpas.co.uk
Freeman, L and Deach, C. 1986, It's my body: a book to teach young children how to resist uncomfortable touch, Parenting Press Incorporated.
Kehoe, P and Deach, C. 1987, Something happened and I'm scared to tell: a book for young victims of abuse, Parenting Press Incorporated.
Lee, S. 1995, The survivor's guide: a guide for teenage girls who are survivors of sexual abuse, Sage Publications.
Miller, M. 2007, In the know, NSPCC.
Sherman, J. 2002, Because it's my body! Safe For Children Publishing.
Spelman, M. and Weidner, T. 2000, Your Body Belongs to You, Albert Whitman and Company.
Sexually abused? (PDF) Young Minds, 2003. Available at www.youngminds.org.uk or by contacting Young Minds see above.
This factsheet was originally written by Jackie Golding. It was revised and updated by Tany Alexander, February 2006 and Louise Flory, July 2009.