Help in your area and beyond

Report it

Everyone has the right to live free from abuse. You are not to blame and you are not alone.

Any form of violence or abuse is a crime and should be reported to the police. You can:

There are specialist support services who are available to listen, support, and help you take the next steps.

Domestic abuse support

Bristol and South Gloucestershire:

Next Link provide support services for people across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset who are or have been victims of domestic abuse. Further information, including contact details and opening times, are available on their website.

Bath and North East Somerset:

Southside

Southside provide help to people in Bath and North East Somerset who have been suffering from domestic violence and abuse. Further information, including contact details and opening times, are available on their website.

Somerset:

Somerset Domestic Abuse Service

Somerset Council’s locally-based confidential service, offers a range of specialist advice and support to anyone seeking help with domestic abuse. This includes relatives, friends, colleagues and those who are causing harm. Further information, including contact details and opening times, are available on their website.

North Somerset:

Cranstoun

Cranstoun offer interventions and support to those impacted by domestic abuse and have over 50 years’ experience of empowering people to live healthy, safe and happy lives. Further information, including contact details and opening times, are available on their website.

Other local and national services for domestic abuse support:

Opoka

Opoka helps women and children in the Polish community who experience domestic violence and abuse to benefit from greater access to care, support, justice, and other services needed to ensure physical and mental health, social wellbeing, and financial security.

Further information, including contact details and opening times, are available on their website.

Mankind Initiative

Mankind offer a confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence across the UK as well as their friends, family, neighbours, work colleagues and employers. Further information, including contact details and opening times, are available on their website.

Galop National LGBTQ+ Domestic Abuse Helpline

Galop is an LGBTQ+ anti-violence charity and runs the national LGBTQ+ Domestic Abuse Helpline. Further information, including contact details and opening times, are available on their website.

National Domestic Abuse Helpline

There is help available 24 hours a day, seven days a week via the National Domestic Abuse Freephone helpline on 0808 2000 247. They also provide a live chat service online at certain times on weekdays.

Further information, including contact details and opening times, are available on their website.

Sexual abuse and violence support

Safe Link provide support for anyone of any background, community, age or gender across the Avon and Somerset Police area, who have experienced sexual abuse or violence at any point. Whether the abuse happened recently or in the past, you do not have to make a report to the police to access support.

Further information, including contact details and opening times, are available on their website.

The Bridge

The Bridge is a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) offering medical care, emotional and psychological support, and practice help to anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted. Support is available for anyone living in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset, or Somerset.

Further information, including contact details and opening times, are available on their website.

SARSAS

SARSAS offer specialist support for anyone affected by rape, sexual assault or violence at any time in their life. Their services include a helpline and live chat support, one-to-one counselling, advocacy, group sessions and other online support resources - for example signposting to The Survivor Pathway.

Further information, including contact details and opening times, are available on their website.

The Green House

The Green House is a charity which offers support for children, young people and families who live in Avon and Somerset and who have experienced sexual abuse. Further information, including contact details and opening times, are available on their website.

National Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line

Help is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on the National Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line - Freephone 0808 500 2222. Further information, including details about their online chat service, are available on their website.

Male Survivors Partnership

The Male Survivors Partnership are an organisation that provides information and support for male survivors of sexual offences. Further information, including contact details and opening times, are available on their website.

Local authority support