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All 'who they are' sections below in apostrophes are quoted from the service's website.
Almost all services have a lot of written information and advice on their websites regarding their support area.
Services may offer support that applies to multiple topics; so if in one topic you cannot find a service that offers the support you need, look at services in other topics.
What is it?
What is it?
Bullying
is when someone is mean to another person over and over again. It can make the other person feel sad or scared. Read more at gov.uk.
Discrimination
is when someone treats you unfairly or differently because of things like your race, gender, age, religion, or disability. It's treating someone worse than others for reasons that aren't fair or relevant.
Discrimination is illegal in the UK in many situations, especially when it's based on certain protected characteristics.
Harassment:
is when someone repeatedly bothers or upsets you on purpose. It can involve hurtful words, unwanted touching, or threatening behavior.
Harassment is illegal in the UK. There are different laws that cover harassment, depending on the specific circumstances.
Government Support & Information
Government Support & Information
Who they are:
Who they are:
❓ 'Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. You can talk about anything.'
They only support:
They only support:
🧑 those aged 18 or under
What they offer:
What they offer:
📞 a helpline (available 24/7)
📧 text-based (e.g. email, SMS, web chat) support
🙌 support via sign language
💬 an online community
Who they are:
Who they are:
❓ 'The helpline advises and assists individuals on issues relating to equality and human rights, across England, Scotland and Wales.'
What they offer:
What they offer:
📞 a helpline
📧 text-based (e.g. email, SMS, web chat) support
🙌 support via sign language
Who they are:
Who they are:
❓ 'We’re here, day or night, for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure.'
What they offer:
What they offer:
📞 a helpline (available 24/7)
📧 text-based (e.g. email, SMS, web chat) support
🙌 support via sign language
🏢 in-person support
Who they are:
Who they are:
❓ 'Stop Hate UK is a leading anti-hate and anti-discrimination organisation for corporate, statutory, and community sectors.'
What they offer:
What they offer:
📞 a helpline
📧 text-based (e.g. email, SMS, web chat) support
Who they are:
Who they are:
❓ 'The Suzy Lamplugh Trust is the UK's pioneering personal safety charity and leading stalking authority.'
What they offer:
What they offer:
📞 a helpline
📧 text-based (e.g. email, SMS, web chat) support
🙌 support via sign language
Who they are:
Who they are:
❓ 'The Cybersmile Foundation is a multi-award-winning nonprofit organisation committed to digital wellbeing and tackling all forms of bullying and abuse online.'
What they offer:
What they offer:
📧 text-based (e.g. email, SMS, web chat) support
Who they are:
Who they are:
❓ 'The Mix is the UK’s leading digital charity for under 25s, reaching over 6 million young people each year. Whatever issue a young person is facing, The Mix is always there for them – via our website, text, or social media.'
They only support:
They only support:
🧑 those aged 24 or under
What they offer:
What they offer:
📧 text-based (email, SMS, web chat, letter) support
💬 an online community
👨👩👦 events or support groups (online or in-person)
What is it?
What is it?
Domestic abuse:
is when someone you live with or are close to hurts or scares you on purpose. It can involve hitting, name-calling, controlling behavior, or other forms of harm.
Domestic abuse is illegal in the UK as the different actions involved in domestic abuse are covered by various existing laws.
Who they are:
Who they are:
❓ 'For over 40 years Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid has provided frontline domestic violence and abuse support services to women and children in the Birmingham and Solihull area.'
They only support:
They only support:
🧑 women and children
📍 those living in Birmingham and Solihull council areas
What they offer:
What they offer:
📞 a helpline
📧 text-based (e.g. email, SMS, web chat) support
🏢 in-person support
Who they are:
Who they are:
❓ 'Black Country Women’s Aid (formerly known as Sandwell Women’s Aid) is an independent charity which has supported survivors of abuse and exploitation in the West Midlands for 30 years.'
They only support:
They only support:
🧑 women and children
📍 those living in Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton council areas
What they offer:
What they offer:
📞 a helpline (available 24/7)
📧 text-based (e.g. email, SMS, web chat) support
🏢 in-person support
Who they are:
Who they are:
❓ 'The Mankind Initiative is the principal, expert and specialist charity in the UK focussing on male victims of domestic abuse.'
They only support:
They only support:
🧑 men
What they offer:
What they offer:
📞 a helpline
Who they are:
Who they are:
❓ 'The National Centre for Domestic Violence was established in 2003 to help survivors of domestic violence and abuse obtain protection against an abuser...'
What they offer:
What they offer:
📞 a helpline
📧 text-based (e.g. email, SMS, web chat) support
Who they are:
Who they are:
❓ 'Refuge is the largest specialist domestic abuse organisation in the UK.'
They only support:
They only support:
🧑 women and children
What they offer:
What they offer:
📞 a helpline (available 24/7)
📧 text-based (e.g. email, SMS, web chat) support
🙌 support via sign language
Who they are:
Who they are:
❓ 'We offer confidential emotional support to children, young adults and adults by telephone, email and post.'
What they offer:
What they offer:
📞 a helpline
📧 text-based (e.g. email, SMS, web chat) support
What is it?
What is it?
Sexual abuse:
is when someone forces, tricks, or pressures you into doing sexual things against your will.
Sexual abuse is illegal in the UK. There are several laws in place to address sexual abuse depending on the nature and circumstances of the offence.
Who they are:
Who they are:
❓ 'Rape Crisis England & Wales is the feminist charity working to end sexual violence and abuse.'
What they offer:
What they offer:
📞 a helpline
📧 text-based (e.g. email, SMS, web chat) support
🏢 in-person support
Who they are:
Who they are:
❓ 'The Revenge Porn Helpline was established in 2015 alongside the introduction of new legislation in which disclosing private sexual images and videos without someone’s consent became against the law.'
They only support:
They only support:
🧑 those aged 18 or older
What they offer:
What they offer:
📞 a helpline
📧 text-based (e.g. email, SMS, web chat) support
Who they are:
Who they are:
❓ 'Established in 1994, Safeline is a specialist charity that works to prevent sexual violence and abuse and support those affected to cope and recover.'
What they offer:
What they offer:
📞 a helpline
📧 text-based (e.g. email, SMS, web chat) support
Who they are:
Who they are:
❓ 'Shore was launched in 2023 to provide a safe and anonymous place for young people to get help and support. [Our aim] is to prevent harmful sexual behaviours among young people.'
What they offer:
What they offer:
📧 text-based (e.g. email, SMS, web chat) support
Who they are:
Who they are:
❓ 'The Survivors Trust is a national membership organisation supporting specialist rape and sexual abuse services in the voluntary sector.'
What they offer:
What they offer:
📞 a helpline
📧 text-based (e.g. email, SMS, web chat) support
Who they are:
Who they are:
❓ 'Our regional service provides medical care and support to children, young people and their families or carers.'
What they offer:
What they offer:
📞 a helpline
📧 text-based (e.g. email, SMS, web chat) support
🏢 in-person support
What is it?
What is it?
Conversion therapy:
is any attempt to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity. It's based on the harmful idea that being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender is wrong and needs to be fixed.
Conversion therapy is not yet fully illegal in the UK, but as of July 2024, the UK government has announced its commitment to publish a draft bill to ban conversion therapy.
County lines:
is when drug gangs use kids or vulnerable people to sell drugs in other areas, often using special phones to take orders.
County lines are illegal.
Elder abuse:
is when someone hurts or takes advantage of an older person, often someone they're supposed to care for.
While there is no specific law in the UK that defines elder abuse as a distinct crime, the various actions involved in elder abuse are illegal under existing laws.
Female genital mutilation (FGM):
is when a girl or woman's genitals are cut, removed, or harmed for non-medical reasons.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is illegal in the UK.
Forced marriage:
is when someone is made to marry another person without their consent.
It involves pressure or abuse and is a serious crime in the UK.
Honour based abuse:
is when someone in your family or community hurts or threatens you because they think you have shamed or dishonoured them.
While there is no specific law against honour based abuse, the actions involved in it are illegal under various existing laws.
Modern slavery:
is when someone forces you to work or do things against your will, often through threats, violence, or deception.
Modern slavery is illegal in the UK and is considered a serious crime.
Neglect:
is when someone fails to care for someone they are responsible for, like a child or an elderly person. This can mean not providing them with food, shelter, clothing, medical care, or emotional support.
Neglect can be illegal in the UK, especially when it involves vulnerable individuals like children or elderly people.
Who they are:
❓ Conversion therapy is a form of emotional abuse that intends to cure or suppress someone's sexual orientation. The Conversion Therapy Support Service supports those who've experienced this.
What they offer:
📞 a helpline
📧 text-based (e.g. email, SMS, web chat) support
Who they are:
Who they are:
❓ The Enough website contains details of a number of organisations that deal either with more specific types of abuse with specific demographics.
What they offer:
What they offer:
🌐 links to other support services
Who they are:
Who they are:
❓ 'Galop is the UK’s LGBT+ anti-abuse charity. We work with and for LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse and violence.'
They only support:
They only support:
🧑 those identifying as LGBT+
What they offer:
What they offer:
📞 a helpline
📧 text-based (e.g. email, SMS, web chat) support
Who they are:
Who they are:
❓ 'We run the national Honour Based Abuse Helpline, train professionals, gather data to inform policies and services, and campaign for change.'
What they offer:
What they offer:
📞 a helpline
📧 text-based (e.g. email, SMS, web chat) support
Who they are:
Who they are:
❓ 'We provide safehouses and support in the community for survivors of trafficking and modern slavery.'
What they offer:
What they offer:
📞 a helpline (available 24/7)
📧 text-based (e.g. email, SMS, web chat) support
Council Directories
Council Directories
In addition to all the support services listed below, your council can offer support and has details of a vast amount of local services.
Click here if you're unsure what your council is (you'll need your postcode).
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