Support Service
- Our support service provides emotional and practical support (face-to-face, telephone, email, online, peer support groups) or through assisting or signposting someone to other relevant agencies for support.
The Rape Crisis England & Wales (RCEW) Live Chat Helpline offers a text-based service for women and girls who have experienced sexual violence.
Every person’s reaction to rape and sexual abuse will be different, and there are no rules setting out exactly how to respond when someone you tells you they've been abused.
The most important thing is to listen, don't judge or , try to interrogate and don't try to be an expert. It takes a great deal of courage to talk about sexual violence, so it is important that you acknowledge the person's strength in surviving it and talking to you.
It is also important that you enable them to make their own choices at their own pace. You may wish to direct them to our helpline so that they can talk about their options. These include: