Rape Crisis England & Wales has been awarded new Ministry of Justice funding to continue providing specialist and confidential support for survivors and victims of sexual violence around the clock.
Today (20th August 2026) we welcome Minister Alex Davies-Jones to Lincolnshire Rape Crisis Centre to meet the specialist practitioners behind the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line, and hear more about the development of the service.
Since its launch in 2022, the service has supported survivors through more than 200,000 calls and 75,000 webchats. Led by Rape Crisis England & Wales, the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line is delivered in partnership with Rape Crisis South London, Lincolnshire Rape Crisis, and ARCH Teesside.
Free to use, the Support Line offers emotional support, practical help and signposting to a range of local, regional and national services to anyone aged 16 and over in England and Wales regardless of sex, gender, or immigration status.
A team of specialist operators are available - at any time, every day of the year - to listen, answer questions and support anyone who has been affected by sexual violence, no matter when or where it happened, as well as to anyone supporting them. Anyone who calls the Support Line can ask to speak to a specialist in another language while information about sexual abuse and violence and the Support line is available in 24 languages on the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line website.
Ciara Bergman, Rape Crisis England & Wales CEO said, “I’m delighted that Rape Crisis England & Wales will continue to provide the national 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line, delivering confidential, free and specialist support for thousands of survivors throughout England and Wales. The service’s success, and the volume of survivors we’ve already provided with high-quality, trusted support, are testament to the dedication and expertise of the Rape Crisis movement. Our partners, support line staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that whenever the time is right, no matter who they are or when it happened, someone will be there to listen, believe and support them."
Emma Ward, Head of the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line said: “The Support Line is such a vital service, and we’re proud that as the lead organisation, this funding will allow us to continue working alongside our partners at Rape Crisis South London, Lincolnshire Rape Crisis and ARCH Teesside, and all our incredible staff to keep supporting people affected by sexual violence. At a time when demand for specialist support continues to grow, this funding means we can develop the service and reach more people who need help.”
The new funding will see the service develop over the next three years and beyond, reaching even more survivors through a strong emphasis on accessibility, including the introduction of British Sign Language interpretation, a broader base of specialists, and dedicated support for survivors with different needs, making sure that whenever someone needs support, they can find it.
How to contact the Support Line
The Support Line is free and confidential. It is not an emergency service – anyone who feels unsafe or needs urgent medical help should call 999.
- Call: 0808 500 2222
- Online chat: via 247sexualabusesupport.org.uk
Who is the service for?
- Anyone aged 16 and over of any gender impacted by sexual violence or abuse
- People who are unsure whether they have experienced sexual violence or abuse
- Friends, family members or professionals supporting a survivor
- People with uncertain immigration status - interpreters can be arranged through LanguageLine
Information about the Support Line is available in 24 languages, and callers can request support in another language.
Find more information about the 24/7 Support Line on the website: https://247sexualabusesupport.org.uk/