Domestic and sexual violence and abuse is never acceptable. You are not alone and it is not your fault. People of any gender can be victims of abuse.
If you, or someone else, is in danger, you should call 999 immediately and wait in a safe place until help arrives.
There are lots of services that can offer support, locally and nationally. You can make an appointment with your GP or local sexual health service to talk about what is happening and the support available. There is also support available through schools, local groups and charities.
Local Services:
- Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC): Help after rape and sexual assault
- Next Link; provides a range of domestic abuse support services to women, men and children. These include safe houses, children and young people’s services, dedicated services for survivors who are black or from a minoritised community, dedicated services for LGBTQ+ survivors, group work, resettlement and outreach services, and a crisis response service.
- Safe Link – transforming victims’ lives: provides support for anyone (women, men children) who has been the victim of rape and sexual abuse, irrespective of whether they have reported to the police, across the whole of Avon and Somerset area.
- SARSAS: support for people affected by rape or any kind of sexual assault or abuse at any time in their lives. Helpline and chat services.
- Womankind Bristol: supports women in the Bristol area with professional counselling, group psychotherapy, befriending, and a helpline service.
- Yuno: sexual health service for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
National Services:
- National Domestic Abuse helpline: 24-hour free helpline
- Rape Crisis England and Wales: 24-hour free helpline
- Brook: Advice, resources and support for young people
- GOVUK: Domestic abuse: how to get help (easy-read version)
Information in other languages:
- Women’s Aid UK: Information and support in additional Languages (PDF and audio)
