Help guide
Helplines & Webchat Services
Local and national support for survivors.
Helpline and webchat services can be used by survivors who would like to access support anonymously. They can also be used by survivors who are waiting for support or who are receiving support but feel they need additional emotional support.
(Last updated: 15th December 2022. Please get in touch if any of this information is out of date)
In an emergency situation, please dial 999.
Sexual violence and abuse
- Our Helpline for survivors of sexual violence and abuse of any gender aged 14+: Mon 7-9pm & Wed 12-2pm, 01273 720 110
- Our email support service: email us any day on help@survivorsnetwork.org.uk – we’ll respond Mon & Wed 12-2pm
- Rape Crisis England & Wales Helpline have a 24/7 helpline and online chat provides a help service for survivors of rape, child sexual abuse, sexual harassment or any form of sexual violence. Call 0808 500 2222
- Rape Crisis England & Wales Live Web Chat – 24/7
- Brighton Women’s Centre “Women Supporting Women” Helpline: 01273 698036 or email dropinservices@womenscentre.org.uk – Mondays 2-4pm (for women who are 50+) | Wednesdays 2-4pm | Thursdays 10-12pm
- Women and Girls Network Ascent Helpline – Call 0808 801 0660 or email advice@wgn.org.uk. Mon-Fri 10am to 4pm and from 6pm-9pm on Wednesdays. Immediate, free and confidential information, advice, advocacy and support for women and girls (14 years+) affected by any form of gendered violence and abuse. The Advice Line is also open to professionals who need support on cases related to gendered violence.
- Male Survivors Partnership: The National Male Survivors helpline is 0808 800 5005. Open Mon, Wed & Fri 9am-5pm; Tues & Thurs 8am-8pm; Sat 10am-2pm.
- Survivors UK – a confidential, one-to-one online chat service for men who have experienced sexual abuse either as a child or an adult. Also open to close friends and family of male survivors. Mon-Sun, 12pm-8pm.
- Survivors Trust helpline: 08088 010 818, Mon-Fri 10am-8:30pm; Sat 10am-12:30pm, 1:30-4:30pm and 6-8:30pm; Sun 1:30pm – 4:30pm and 6pm – 8:30pm
- Safeline: Support for people all genders who have experienced sexual abuse: 0808 800 5008
- NAPAC helpline: 0808 801 0331 10am-4pm on Mon, Wed and Fri & from 2pm-9pm on Tues and Thurs. Supporting recovery from childhood abuse.
- The Rape and Abuse Line (RAL): Helpline answered by women: 0808 800 0123 & Helpline answered by men:0808 800 0122
- Revenge Porn Helpline: Support only available over email during the pandemic: help@revengepornhelpline.org.uk 10am-4pm, Mon-Fri
- Sexual Harassment at Work helpline from Rights of Women: 020 7490 0152 Mon, Tues & Wed 3-5pm and 6-8pm.
- MOSCAC – helpline for non-abusive parents whose child has experienced abuse. 0800 980 1958 Lines open 10am to 2pm (Monday, Thursday and Friday) and 10am to 6pm (Tuesday and Wednesday).
- Safe Spaces Helpline & Live Chat: for anyone who feels they have experienced church related abuse of any form in England or Wales. Call 0300 303 1056 or find the chat here on Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat: 10am-6pm, Thurs: 12pm-8pm.
Domestic abuse support
- 24 Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge): 0808 2000 247 and webchat Mon to Fri, 3-6pm.
- National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 999 5428 Open Monday to Friday: 10:00am – 5:00pm; Wednesdays and Thursday 10:00am – 8:00pm E: help@galop.org.uk
- Women’s Aid Online chat: Monday to Friday 10:00am – 12:00pm
- Victim Support helpline and webchat open 24/7, 08 08 16 89 111.
Stalking support
- Suzy Lamplugh Trust National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300 9.30am-4pm weekdays except for Wed: 1pm-4pm. Guidance and information to anybody who is currently or has previously been affected by harassment or stalking.
- Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service: 020 3866 4107 9am-3pm weekdays except for Wed: 10am-5pm.
Mental health & wellbeing
- Sussex Mental Healthline – 0300 5000 101 – provides a 24/7 service to people needing urgent help with their mental health. As well as crisis support it will provide psychological support to people who have general concerns about their mental health. Registered clinicians are at the other end of the freephone number to provide help, support and advice to anyone who needs it, at any time of the day or night, regardless of their age or where they live in the county.
- Samaritans: Call 116 123 for FREE. Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. Open 24/7, 365 days a year.
- Shout: 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for people struggling to cope. Text: 85258
- Mind Infoline: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm. 0300 123 3393 or email info@mind.org.uk. If you feel more comfortable texting, text 86463. This is for non-urgent information about mental health support and services that may be available to you.
- Elefriends: Supportive web-chat through Mind
- Mindline Trans+ : Trans specific emotional support helpline, w/ trans listeners. 0300 330 5468; Mondays and Fridays 8pm-midnight.
- 7 Cups: Free emotional support from trained listeners; online counselling
- CALM helpline: Confidential Emotional Support for Men Mon-Fri 1pm-11pm 0800585858
- Maytree suicidal feelings support: 020 7263 7070 currently offering email and telephone support between 8am and 8pm at the present time.
- PaNDAS Helpline for parents affected by perinatal mental illness. 11am- 10pm daily, 0808 1961 776
- No Panic Helpline for people who suffer from Panic Attacks, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders and other related anxiety disorders. 0300 7729844 between 10am and 10pm every day of the year.
Children and young people
- Childline: Helpline, one-to-one webchat with a counsellor and a messaging service, all available between 7:30am – 3:30am. Call 0800 1111 or go to their website.
- Hopeline UK: If you are a young person at risk of suicide, call: 0800 068 41 41; Text: 07860 039967; Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
- The Mix Helpline & Webchat: general support for under 25s 0808 808 4994 daily from 3pm-12am.
- NSPCC helpline for people who have experienced sexual harassment or abuse in education: 0800 136 663 or email help@nspcc.org.uk
General (but specialised) support
- Telephone befriending service for the elderly
- LGBTQ Switchboard (National Helpline) –Confidential advice and support. Call 0300 330 0630 (Daily, 10am to 10pm)
- Muslim Women’s Network Helpline and Webchat – Mon-Fri 10am-4pm: 0800 999 5786 (free from mobiles and landlines) 0303 999 5786 (Usual call rates apply). Providing any Muslim girl or woman in a crisis with a free, confidential listening service and referral to Islamic consultants, plus practical help and information where required.
- Citizens Advice Brighton & Hove has a freephone number: 08082 78 78 15. Mon, Wed, Thurs: 9.30am-12.30pm & 1.30pm-3.30pm. Tues: 9.30am-12.30pm & 5pm-7.30pm. Fri: 9.30am-12.30pm.