GET SUPPORT
Quick Links
If you’re under 16 and think you are experiencing sexual abuse now:
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The Survivors’ Trust is the largest umbrella agency for specialist rape and sexual abuse services in the UK. They help you with finding support in a UK region.
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A global directory of helplines by charity Chayn, for victims of sexual assault from around the world. Can help with finding resources in lots of different countries.
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Childline is an email, chat and phone service for anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. Their counsellors are trained to discuss childhood sexual abuse.
If you experienced childhood sexual abuse in the past:
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The National Association for People Abused in Childhood. They offer a range of services which provide direct support to survivors, including a support email and a support line. They have a reporting guide with advice for people considering reporting abuse.
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A UK wide directory of 120+ childhood sexual abuse support services.
If you are concerned about abuse happening to others:
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Completely anonymous, independent UK charity. They collect and store information on crimes, which is later sent to relevant authorities. You don’t need to tell them your name or any details about yourself. You can call on 0800 555 111 or fill in an anonymous form on their website.
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Removing content online that might be harmful to children.
If you are worried about yours, or someone else’s, attraction to children:
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A confidential helpline, live chat and secure email for anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse prevention.
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A webpage designed to offer understanding and support to prevent child sexual abuse.
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The Lucy Faithfull Foundation is the only UK-wide child protection charity dedicated solely to preventing child sexual abuse. They work with professionals and families.
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A safe and anonymous place for young people to get help and support around healthy sexual relationships, especially if they have a sexual attraction to children.
Identity-specific resources:
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Supporting survivors of childhood sexual abuse in the Tamil community.
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A charity providing Black femme survivors with support, access to justice and holistic therapies around all forms of gender-based violence.
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A UK-based charity committed to ending Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and all other forms of violence against women and girls. They provide workshops and education sessions and work with and advocate for muslim communities.
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Service and support for men and boys who have been affected by unwanted sexual experiences. Designed and managed by survivors.
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Support services and online chat for LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence.
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MindOut is a mental health service run by and for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ) people. Their services include low cost in-person and online counselling.
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The Clare Project run psychosocial support groups, information sessions, workshops and excursions, for and by trans, non-binary and intersex adults in Sussex.
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A Community Interest Company that delivers queer-positive education to schools, businesses and communities, using the arts to transform the way people think about gender stereotypes and relationship behaviours. They have a Digital Exhibition which includes artworks that challenge harmful sexual behaviours.
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An information sharing organisation that lists trans-inclusion charities.
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An online storytelling platform for Black + Indigenous gender non-conforming children (+ all children) who experienced sexual violence.
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Founded by queer and trans survivors of child sexual abuse, this initiative creates online healing spaces, intended to be a home for those who might not feel at home in other spaces, including men & masculine+ folks, sexuality professionals and healers, queer and trans people, asexual folks, and sex workers.
Reports, Studies and Inquiries:
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IICSA was a statutory inquiry for England and Wales, established in 2015 under the Inquiries Act 2005. They have published a number of reports of child abuse in different settings.
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A report by the centre for childhood sexual abuse on the scale and impact of abuse, and gaps in our understanding.
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An article about a study by Jahnine Davis on the lack of Black children in child abuse studies. If you would like further information or to cite the study, permission is required, please contact jahnine@listenupresearch.org.
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This report maps a vision for a world free from childhood sexual abuse. It’s written by an organisation called To Zero, who represent over 330 stakeholders from all around the world working to create a world free from child sexual abuse. Sophia is a steering committee member of the organisation.
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The Out of the Shadows Index is the first global benchmark looking at how countries are addressing child sexual exploitation and abuse.
For Parents, Carers and Guardians:
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Provides parents with guidance on empowering their children to navigate online environments safely, written by 2Know.
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This support guide offers guidance and support for parents and caregivers whose child has fallen victim to online sexual abuse, written by 2Know.
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An online platform and school programme dedicated to removing rape culture in schools and education systems. There is an option on the site to share your story anonymously.
Arts organisations that focus on childhood sexual abuse:
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The Pixel Project is a completely virtual, volunteer-led global 501(c)3 non-profit organisation whose mission is to raise awareness, funds and volunteer power for the cause to end violence against women using the power of the internet, social media, new technologies and popular culture/the arts.
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Led by theatre director Viv Gordon, this group seeks to use arts and theatre to highlight survivor stories.
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Victorious voices is a survivor-led photography project sharing stories of childhood sexual abuse survivors. Led by survivor and photographer, Lee Cooper.
International Advocacy
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The Brave Movement is a global, survivor-centered initiative dedicated to ending childhood sexual violence through advocacy, prevention, and justice. It unites survivors and allies to create a world where children are safe, often focusing on policy change, digital safety, and breaking the stigma around sexual abuse. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
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The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) is a prominent global network focused on research, evidence, and solutions to end violence against women and children. Founded in 2003, it promotes research to improve lives through advocacy, grant-making, and hosting the biennial SVRI Forum.