How To Get Help With Sexual Abuse

If you suffered due to sexual abuse, you may like to know what help is available. You might be eligible to claim compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) for the harm you have suffered. The CICA handles certain compensation claims for those who have sustained injuries (mental or physical) in a violent crime in England, Scotland or Wales.

There are specific eligibility requirements you need to meet in order to claim compensation through the CICA. If you are seeking sexual abuse help through the CICA, you must prove that:

You sustained mental or physical injuries in a crime of violence.
The incident was reported to the police. You will require your police reference number as part of the claims process. However, you can start a claim through the CICA without waiting for a conviction.
The incident occurred in England, Scotland, Wales or another relevant location.
You are within the relevant time limits. Generally, this is two years from the date of the incident. However, there are exceptions to this.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, such as sexual assault, rape, or sexual abuse, there are dedicated organisations and charities that are available to offer support. Please continue onto the next section to learn what sexual abuse aid is available from these organisations. If you would like to learn more about sexual assault compensation claims, you can get in touch with an advisor at any point while reading this guide.

NHS

There are services available through the NHS that can help if you have experienced sexual violence. Sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) offer medical, emotional and practical support to anyone who has experienced rape or any other form of sexual violence. They have specially trained doctors, nurses, and support workers.

SARCs can be found all over the country and provide various forms of support, including crisis care and arranging access to an independent sexual assault advisor and referrals for mental health support.

Any person who has experienced sexual violence can attend a SARC to get free help. You can find a rape and sexual assault centre offering local services on the NHS website.

Victim Support

Victim Support gives people affected by crime, including rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment, the opportunity to get help any time. You can call their support line, 08 08 16 89 111, which is free and available 24/7. Or, if you who would prefer to chat online, Victim Support’s online support service is also available around the clock as well as being free and confidential.

Victim Support offers several services to those who have experienced sexual violence, such as sexual abuse. Their staff work alongside specialist trained sexual violence volunteers to support those affected as well as providing a robust and consistent support service to victims.

Victim Support can be used by people living in England or Wales, regardless of whether they have reported the crime to the police. It also gives deaf and hearing-impaired people the ability to contact them using British Sign Language through the SignLive service.

Rape Crisis (England and Wales)

Rape Crisis England and Wales is a feminist charity which aims to bring an end to sexual abuse and violence. They have 39 Rape Crisis centres, located around England and Wales, which offer specialist support for women and girls who have been affected by rape or sexual violence.

A sexual abuse survivor can access the Rape Crisis website to find a centre, use their online chat service, or contact the sexual abuse support line on 0808 500 2222. The charity gives plenty of useful information and self-help tools on their website for further help with sexual abuse.

Rape Crisis Scotland

Rape Crisis Scotland is a leading organisation in Scotland working to transform attitudes, improve responses, and end rape and sexual violence. Their website extends help to those who need it with information on all matters relevant to being affected by sexual violence.

The guidance includes how to get urgent medical help, how the Scottish criminal justice system handles sexual offences, and where local support can be found.

Their helpline, available from 5pm to midnight every day, is 08088 01 03 02, while alternative routes such as email support and webchat are also available for help with sexual abuse.

Women’s Aid Federation

Women’s Aid is a national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. They provide life-saving services across England.

Alongside their ongoing mission to raise awareness and prevent domestic violence, they provide information and support through live chat, email and support groups. Child and adult survivors of domestic sexual abuse can find support and guidance on dealing with traumatic events and the short or long-term effects of being sexually assaulted.

Survivors UK – Male Rape And Sexual Abuse Support

Survivors UK is dedicated to giving help with sexual abuse recovery to many male survivors, boys and non-binary people who have suffered from sexual violence. They have a team of Independent Sexual Violence Advisors who are trained to provide emotional and practical support to survivors. They can offer support around the criminal justice process but are independent from the police and are not legal advisors.

Their national online helpline, which you can reach via 020 3322 1860, is available every day from 12pm to 8pm. Further options are available in the form of online chat and text messaging.

The Survivors Trust

The Survivors Trust is a national membership organisation supporting specialist rape and sexual abuse services in the voluntary section. They have 120 member organisations across the UK and Ireland offering direct services to sexual abuse survivors. Some of the services include counselling, support, helplines, and advocacy services for women, children, men and non-binary people.

Their free and confidential national helpline, 0808 801 0818, operates every day for those aged over 16.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

It is important to know that help with sexual abuse is available even if the incident occurs outside the UK. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office offers information for British nationals affected by rape or sexual assault abroad, such as how to access medical treatment and legal advice in the UK.

Their functions include telling victims about local police procedures and in some cases, they can attend the police station with you, depending on the location and timing.

Contact Us For Free Advice

People who have experienced sexual abuse and assault have the right to seek compensation for sexual abuse and the physical or psychological injuries they suffered.

If you want to learn more, please contact us any time. We can discuss your legal rights and potentially connect you to an expert sexual abuse claim solicitor from our panel.

The advice we provide with regard to sexual abuse compensation claims is completely free and carries no obligation to start a case, even if we tell you that you have valid grounds to proceed. You can get in touch via the following details:

Call 0333 091 8597.
Go online to contact us and request a call-back.
Use our instant live chat service.

A solicitor helping with sexual abuse claims.

More Resources About Getting Help With Sexual Abuse

We have many guides designed to help sexual abuse survivors learn when and how they can seek compensation. If you want to know more, these articles may help:

Should sexual abuse by a family member occur, we explain how a familial sexual abuse claim can be made.
Victims of childhood abuse or their legal guardians may benefit from our child sexual abuse compensation claims.
A guide answering frequently asked questions about sexual abuse claims including when you could seek compensation.

Here are some further resources that could be helpful:

Learn about Childline, which can provide free and confidential counselling for victims of child sexual abuse aged 18 and below.
Government guidance on how to get help for domestic abuse for yourself or someone else.
Ask For ANI, a codeword scheme that allows victims of domestic sexual abuse to get immediate help in a discreet, confidential, and safe way.

We hope you have found this guide providing resources to get help with sexual abuse beneficial. If you want to discuss your legal rights to claim for sexual violence, please call the number above.

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