Resources and information

If you have experienced any form of sexual violence and/or abuse, remember:

  • It was not your fault
  • You are not alone
  • You deserve to feel supported and believed
  • You may have very mixed feelings about what happened, and whether to tell anyone
  • You have a choice in what you do next and what is right for you
  • You can get support from trusted friends and family and/or professional support
  • You should not feel under any pressure to act in any specific way

If you have experienced a recent incident and need immediate support, please visit our crisis support and information page.

You can also find more information about how the University prevents and responds to harassment and sexual misconduct on the Harassment and Sexual Misconduct webpage.

External sources of support and information

The following services and resources are confidential. You do not need to report to the police to access them.

  • Rape Crisis England & Wales deliver specialist services to those affected by sexual violence and abuse. Their free Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year - Call 0808 500 2222
  • The Elms Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Cambridgeshire offers free, confidential support to anyone who has experienced sexual violence or abuse. They provide medical care, emotional support, forensic examinations, and can store evidence for up to seven years if you choose to report later.
  • SurvivorsUK is a national charity for male survivors of sexual abuse.
  • The Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre offers free and confidential support to survivors of sexual violence, no matter when the abuse happened.
  • Rights of Women provides frontline legal advice to women in England and Wales experiencing all forms of violence. 

Self-help resources

  • Rape Crisis England & Wales' If you're having difficult feelings page describes some of the responses you might be having and explores ways you can process and accept your feelings.
  • The CRCC's Self help guide is for survivors of rape or sexual abuse who want to understand and process their own personal reactions to their experience.
  • Survivors UK's Resource for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse provides information on a range of topics including definitions, common feelings and ways to cope.
  • Refuge is the largest specialist domestic abuse organisation in the UK. They provide a free and confidential National Domestic Abuse Helpline, which available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
  • Cambridge Women's Aid provides dedicated and specialist services to women and children experiencing physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse in their homes and/or intimate relationships.
  • ManKind is a national organisation providing support to men who have been subjected to domestic abuse.
  • The National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV) is a fast, free emergency injunction service for domestic abuse. 
  • Revenge Porn Helpline supports adults (aged 18+) who are experiencing intimate image abuse, also known as, revenge porn (including ‘deepfake pornography’ and ‘up skirting’).
  • The Suzy Lamplugh Trust provides help and advice to those who are being subjected to stalking.
  • Paladin supports high risk victims of stalking throughout England and Wales. 
  • Galop is a national organisation providing support for all LGBT+ people who've experienced hate crime, domestic abuse or sexual violence.
  • Switchboard is the national LGBTQIA+ support line. It's available between 10:00 - 22:00, 365 days a year.

 

Support for Black and African-Caribbean women

  • Southall Black Sisters is a specialist support service for Black (Asian and African-Caribbean) women experiencing gender-based violence.
  • Sistah Space is a safe space for African and Caribbean heritage women and girls who have experienced domestic or sexual abuse, or who have lost a loved one to domestic violence.
  • Hersana provides a range of services for Black femmes across England and Wales who are affected by or at risk of gender-based violence.

Support for Asian women

Support for Latin American women

Latin American Women’s Rights Service offers free, confidential specialist services for Latin American women, including advice and counselling for those facing gender-based violence. 

Latin American Women’s Aid provides nationally available services and the only refuge for Latin American women in the UK. 

Faith-based and culturally sensitive support

  • The Muslim Community Helpline is confidential, non-judgemental listening & emotional support service for Muslim men and women.
  • The Muslim Women’s Network is a specialist faith and culturally sensitive service for those facing or at risk of abuse.
  • Nour Domestic Violence provide trauma-informed, culturally competent services to adult survivors of abuse. They work with survivors from minoritised communities, particularly from the Muslim community, but, their services are open to any adult survivor of abuse. 
  • Karma Nirvana is a national Honour Based Abuse service.
  • Freedom Charity is a UK-based charity that gives support to victims of forced marriage and violence upon women thought to have brought dishonour on their family.
  • The Ashiana Network provides specialist services for Black and minoritised women, predominantly women from South Asian, Turkish and Middle Eastern communities who have experienced or are at risk of Violence against women & girls.