SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ABUSE
Sexual violence and domestic violence and abuse can happen to anyone of any gender, sexuality, ethnicity or age. The impacts of living with violence and abuse can be devastating and its effects are
Sexual violence relates to any unwanted sexual act or activity. It can
Domestic violence and abuse
Do you or someone you know need help? If you recognise any of the signs below in your relationship or in someone else’s help is available.
- Forcing, manipulating or coercing someone into doing things
- Putting someone down and making them feel bad
- Making someone feel guilty if they don’t spend time with them
- Looking through someone’s phone, social media or web history
- Stealing from someone or making them buy things
- Hitting, slapping or pushing
- Making someone have sex when they don’t want to
- Feeling scared of a partner, or feeling stressed, worried and pressurised.
Find more information about the signs of sexual violence and domestic violence and abuse.
CAMPAIGNS AND RESOURCES
16 Days of Action against Violence Against Women and Girls
Enough campaign Government campaign to challenge the abuse of women and girls
“I Just Froze” Rape Crisis Scotland campaign to challenge misconcenptions about sexual abuse
Love Respect Women’s Aid campaign about healthy and unhealthy relationships
What we are doing to address sexual violence and domestic violence and abuse in Devon
We are committed to ending sexual violence and domestic violence and abuse in Devon, and work with partners to provide effective preventative, early help, support and recovery services to people affected by these issues.
The Devon Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy provides an overview of actions taken by our partners to end sexual violence and domestic violence and abuse in Devon.
What support is available in Devon?
There are a range of services and organisations in Devon that support victims and survivors to be safe and recover from their trauma. Below is a list of organisations who can provide advice and support in Devon.
Follow this link to get help and advice if you are a young person
Follow this link to get help and advice if you are being abusive or violent
FearLess
FearLess is the lead provider of the Devon domestic abuse support service.
FearLess works to end domestic abuse and sexual violence in partnership with individuals, communities and other agencies by:
- Helping people identify, come to terms with and overcome their difficulties and challenges.
- Providing high quality support services.
- Generating solutions that are appropriate to the needs of the individuals and their communities.
Get in touch
- Helpline: 0345 155 1074
- Email: helpdesk.devon@fear-less.org.uk
- Website
Devon Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Service
Devon Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Service offers confidential, professional support to all survivors of rape, sexual violence and/or sexual abuse aged 13 and over and living in Devon (not Plymouth). They also offer support to survivors and their families, friends and partners through their confidential and anonymous helpline and email support service.
Get in touch
- Helpline: 01392 204174 (Mon, Wed, Fri 6pm-9pm)
- Office line: 01392 208756 (Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm, Fri 9am-4pm)
- Email: support@devonrapecrisis.org.uk
- Website
More Positive Me
More Positive Me supports people with low self-esteem and low self-worth to gain knowledge and understanding of domestic abuse and its intricacies. They empower people on their journey to heal and get their lives back on track by supporting their growth, confidence, and self-belief, enabling them to make sense of what happened and move forward with their lives.
Get in touch
SAFE (Safe Foundation)
The Safe Foundation supports adults and children experiencing difficulties in life through their experience of domestic abuse. Their community-based therapeutic programmes are delivered through a range of means including individual and group counselling, organisational guidance, training, and workshops.
Get in touch
- Call: 03030 300 112
- Website
CoLab (Exeter only)
CoLab Women enables and supports women towards building resilience for their futures through a gendered lens that works with what’s strong, not what’s wrong. We take a trauma-informed approach to our work, supporting women to regain their identity and to build self-esteem and confidence.
Get in touch
- Call: 01392 284270
- Email: resilientwomencentre@colabexeter.org.uk
- Website
North Devon Against Domestic Abuse (NDADA)
NDADA provides temporary refuge, advice and support to women and children who have suffered domestic abuse. They also provide outreach and recovery services including pattern changing, support for parents and children, and counselling. They also aim to educate and inform the public, partners and organisations about domestic abuse.
Get in touch
- Call: 01271 370079 or 01271 370080
- Email: admin@ndada.co.uk
- Website
Sunrise Diversity (North Devon only)
Sunrise is a grassroots charity promoting equality, diversity and social inclusion in rural communities in Northern Devon. They provide services for those with diverse identities such as migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, people of colour, and the LGBTQ+ community, including English classes, a help and support service, and ‘meet and connect’ activity groups. In promoting equality and human rights, Sunrise aims to eradicate violence and abusive practices in society, including abuse and violence towards women and girls.
Get in touch
- Telephone: 01271 328915
- Email: admin@sunrisediversity.org.uk
- Website
Encompass (North Devon only)
Encompass’ ‘Women First’ project is all about supporting women who are rough sleeping, sofa surfing or living in temporary accommodation. Women First is a partnership between Encompass, NDADA and Mind in Somerset.
Get in touch
- Call: 01271 371 499
- Email: womenfirst@bpag-encompass.org.uk
- Website
Momentum
Momentum is a peer support group for adult male survivors of childhood sexual abuse. There are no waiting lists, you will always be in control of what you say, everything is at your pace and about healing from the effects of trauma and abuse. Momentum offers individual and group support and can help you find specialist therapy/ counselling if needed.
Get in touch
- Call: 07773 151080
- Website (including contact form)
Intercom Trust
The Intercom Trust provides help against homophobic and transphobic prejudice, crime and discrimination. The Trust has specialist LGBT+ domestic abuse workers in Devon who are here to support you.
Get in touch
- Helpline: 0800 612 3010
- Email: helpline@intercomtrust.org.uk
- Website
Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)
The Sexual Assault Referral Centre service provides medical support, examination and counselling after rape or sexual assault across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Get in touch
- Helpline: 0300 303 4626
- Website and self-referral form
Useful resources and links
In an emergency – Silent 999 Solution
- You can use the Silent Solution if you need urgent police help but cannot speak – find out more with these resources
National helplines
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline: call 0808 2000 247 or visit the National Domestic Abuse Helpline website
- National 24/7 Support Line for victims of rape and sexual abuse: call 0808 500 2222 or visit the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line Website
- Revenge Porn Helpline: provides support for adult victims of intimate image abuse. Call: 0345 6000 459 or visit the Revenge Porn Helpline website.
- Hourglass provides support to older people and anyone concerned about an older person who is at risk of, experiencing, or recovering from abuse or neglect. Call their 24/7 helpline on 0808 808 8141 or visit the Hourglass website.
- Karma Nirvana supports anyone affected by Honour Based Abuse. Call: 0800 5999 247 or visit the Karma Nirvana website.
- Galop works with and for LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse and violence. Call: 0800 999 5428 or visit the Galop website.
- Survivors UK supports men and non-binary people who have been affected by rape or sexual abuse. Text 020 3322 1860 or visit the Survivors UK website. (including online chat)
- Men’s Advice Line supports male victims of domestic abuse. Call: 0808 8010327 or visit the Men’s Advice Line website.
- National Male Survivor Helpline for adults and children who identify as male affected by recent or historic sexual abuse, and for those who support a male survivor. Call: 0808 800 5005 or Text: 07869 065187 or visit the National Male Survivor Helpline website.
Websites and resources
- Women’s Aid Survivor’s Handbook – contains practical information and support for women experiencing domestic abuse. Available in print, audio and different languages.
- The government’s Enough website has more information on how to report domestic or sexual violence, and about support available nationally
- Safeline free telephone and online counselling service for people aged 16+ of all genders living in England and Wales who have experienced child sexual abuse and those who support a survivor of child sexual abuse.
Support in other areas of the South West