Local support services for victims of sexual violence or abuse
Click on the links below to be taken to the relevant section or download a list of local support services:
Avon and Somerset Police
To report an urgent crime or incident, if a crime is happening right now or someone is in immediate danger:
- Telephone 999.
- If you are deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment: Textphone 18000
To report a crime or incident that does not require an urgent response:
- Telephone 101 to contact Avon and Somerset Constabulary.
Alternatively use the online reporting form accessible via their website: www.avonandsomerset.police.uk.
Avon and Somerset Constabulary have dedicated and specially trained teams of officers investigating gender based violence:
- the Sexual Assault Investigation Team.
- the Domestic Abuse Investigation Team.
Crimestoppers
To report a crime anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or use the online form.
Further information about their local services can be found on the Crimestopprers website.
Victim Support
Specialist volunteers trained to support around sexual and domestic violence. In addition to the national helpline, local support can be provided at home or in locations across Avon and Somerset.
Telephone: +44(0)117 9473070
Monday to Friday 8:00-20:00; Saturday 8:00-18:00
Bristol Against Violence and Abuse (BAVA)
For up-to-date information on all forms of violence and abuse against women and girls, and sexual and domestic violence against men and boys, visit the BAVA website which lists relevant local advice and support services.
Womankind Bristol
A helpline for women in distress and women suffering domestic abuse.
Telephone: 0845 458 2914 or +44(0)117 916 6461
calls charged at local rates for landlines.
Website: www.womankindbristol.org.uk
NextLink (Bristol)
Specialist domestic abuse services for women and children in Bristol including dedicated Black and Minority Ethnic, South Asian and Somali services. Supporting women who have or are experiencing domestic abuse and who need help to stay at home safely or move to safe accommodation.
E-mail: enquiries@nextlinkhousing.co.uk
Telephone: +44(0)117 925 0680
Website: www.nextlinkhousing.co.uk
Survive (South Gloucestershire)
A friendly, locally based agency run by women who care deeply about helping those who are in an abusive relationship. Survive can provide refuge accommodation, emotional and practical support, the Freedom Programme and services for children and young people.
Survive are open Monday to Friday, 9:00-16:00. Otherwise there is an answer phone which is checked regularly and someone will call you back.
E-mail: info@survivedv.org.uk
Tel: +44(0)117 961 2999
Website: www.survivedv.org.uk
Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs)
The BRI (Bristol Royal Infirmary Hospital) Emergency Department has an Independent Domestic Violence Advocates service for male and female victim/survivors.
Monday – Sunday 9:00-17:00.
Telephone: +44(0)117 342 1495 / +44(0)117 342 1496.
Visit BAVA's page on domestic violence for more local information.
Unseen
Unseen initiates and leads projects to help survivors of trafficking and run secure accommodation for adult women who are classified as survivors/victims of human trafficking for sexual exploitation or domestic servitude.
Website: www.unseenuk.org
Self Injury Support (formerly Bristol Crisis Service for Women)
Run by a Bristol charity, this national organisation supports girls and women in emotional distress – particularly women who harm themselves.
Text and e-mail support, for girls and young women under 25 who self-injure. Open Monday – Friday 19:00-21:00.
E-mail via online form
Text: 0870 047 2908
Website: www.selfinjurysupport.org.uk
SISH Bristol (Self Injury Self Help)
Support groups for people who self-injure. Run by Bristol MIND.
Men and women’s mixed group (18+) Tuesday evenings 630-8pm.
Monthly wellbeing workshops on Saturday mornings.
E-mail: sishbristol@gmail.com
Telephone: +44(0)117 2308230
Website: www.sishbristol.org.uk
Bristol Sexual Violence Services Pathway
There is a Bristol Sexual Violence Services Pathway online guide, which will help you to find support and advice services in the city area:
Frenchay is in South Gloucestershire and there is a South Gloucestershire Sexual Violence Services Pathway online guide.
SARSAS (formerly Bristol Rape Crisis) for women and girls
SARSAS are a specialist support service for women and girls who have experienced any form of sexual violence, at any point in their lives. SARSAS offer information, practical support, a helpline, e-support, and 1 to 1 support by phone or face to face.
E-mail support: support@sarsas.org.uk
Helpline: 0800 801 0456 or +44(0)117 929 9556
(Open Monday 11:00-14:00; Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday 18:00-20:30; Friday 11:00-14:00)
Website: www.sarsas.org.uk
SARSAS (formerly Bristol Rape Crisis) for men and boys
SARSAS run a specialist support line for men and boys who have experienced any form of sexual violence at any point in their lives.
Email: support@sarsas.org.uk
Helpline: 0808 801 0464
Men and boys helpline open Mondays 11:00 – 14.00 and Tuesdays 6.00 – 20.30
Website: www.sarsas.org.uk
The Bridge Sexual Assault Referral Centre
Providing emotional, medical and practical care and support for any woman, man or young person who has been raped or sexually assaulted. Counselling for anyone assaulted within the last 12 months. Forensic examinations can be provided with or without police involvement so that there is no pressure to make an immediate decision about reporting to the police.
E-mail support: turntothebridge@uhbristol.nhs.uk
Helpline: +44(0)117 342 6999
Open 24 hours for telephone information and forensic medical services with police involvement.
Website: www.turntothebridge.org
Address: 2nd Floor, Central Health Clinic, Tower Hill, Passage Street, Bristol, BS2 0JD.
Open Monday to Friday 9:00-17:00 for information, referral services, counselling and forensic medical services without police involvement.
Womankind Bristol
A confidential and professional counselling and helpline service for women who have experienced sexual abuse or rape. A specialist service is available for deaf women with a counsellor who is BSL trained. Specialist services for refugees, asylum seekers and trafficked women. Language interpreters available on request.
Helpline 0845 458 2914 or +44(0)117 9166461. Calls charged at local rates for landlines.
Open Monday to Friday 9:00-17:00; Monday and Tuesday evenings 20:00-22:00.
Website: www.womankindbristol.org.uk
Safe Link Support
Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA): Sexual assault follow-up and empowerment for any victim of rape, sexual assault or abuse – men, women, transgender, children. Home visits or meeting in locations near where victim/survivors live. Fully trained ISVAs.
E-mail: enquiries@safelink.co.uk
Telephone: +44(0)117 925 0680
Open Monday to Friday 9:00-17:00.
Website: www.safelinksupport.co.uk
Kinergy
A professional confidential counselling service for survivors of sexual abuse and/or rape.
E-mail: contact@kinergy.org.uk
Telephone: +44(0)117 908 7712
Website: www.kinergy.org.uk
The Green House
Specialist counselling for men, women, children and young people who have experienced sexual violence and/or rape.
E-mail: info@the-green-house.org.uk
Telephone: +44(0)117 935 1707
Website: www.the-green-house.org.uk
Visit BAVA's page on rape and sexual assault for more local information.
Local medical help for FGM is available:
African Women’s Clinic
Charlotte Keele Health Centre, Seymour Road, Easton BS5 0UA. Drop in or telephone: +44(0)117 342 6900
Bristol Community Rose Clinic at Lawrence Hill Health Centre
Provides support for women experiencing any health problems as a result of FGM as well as ‘opening’ surgery.
E-mail: bristolrose.clinic@nhs.net
Telephone: Dr Katrina Darke 07813 016911
Visit BAVA's page on FGM for more local information.
The Sky Project
Based in Bristol and offering information and support for professionals, communities and individuals on issues around forced marriage.
Website: www.skyproject.org.uk
Visit BAVA's page on forced marriage for more local information.
One25
A night outreach service, a drop-in and one-to-one casework support for women trapped in, or vulnerable, to street sex work supporting exit from violence, poverty and addiction.
Telephone: +44(0)117 909 8832
Website: www.one25.org.uk