Get support after a crime
You do not have to report a crime to police to get help.
You can contact a support service directly, even if you are not sure what happened was a crime, do not want to report it or are still deciding what to do.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 now.
Find the right support
Talk to someone after any crime
Victim Support provides free, confidential emotional and practical support for people affected by crime, witnesses, and people supporting someone else.
You can contact Victim Support whether or not you have reported the crime to police. Call its 24 hour Supportline on 0808 16 89 111, use live chat or find local support through its website.
You can also find victim support services in your area.
Get help after domestic abuse
Domestic abuse can include controlling behaviour, threats, violence, sexual abuse, financial abuse, harassment or stalking by a partner, former partner or family member.
If you are in England, contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. It is open 24 hours a day.
If you are in Wales, contact Live Fear Free on 0808 80 10 800. It provides confidential, 24-hour support for people affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence. You can speak in Welsh.
Get help after sexual violence or abuse
You can contact Rape Crisis England & Wales on 0808 802 9999 for confidential support, information and referrals. It is open 24 hours a day.
You can also get medical, practical and emotional support from a Sexual Assault Referral Centre. In England, find a Sexual Assault Referral Centre. In Wales, Live Fear Free can help you find the nearest service.
You can get support from these services whether or not you report to police.
Get help with stalking, harassment or online abuse
Contact the National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0300 if you are being stalked or harassed.
For online harassment, threats, impersonation or abusive messages, report the content to the platform where it was posted. You can also use Report Harmful Content.
Call 999 if you are in immediate danger. Otherwise, you can report a crime to police later by calling 101 or using your local police force’s online reporting service.
Get help for a child or young person
If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
If you are worried that a child is being abused or is at risk, contact the local authority’s children’s social care team, call police on 101, or contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000.
Children and young people can contact Childline free on 0800 1111.
Specialist support
Some services provide specialist support after domestic abuse or sexual violence.
An independent domestic violence adviser, often called an IDVA, can help if you have experienced domestic abuse. They can help you think about safety, housing, practical support and your options.
An independent sexual violence adviser, often called an ISVA, can help after sexual violence or abuse. They can help you access medical, emotional and practical support, and understand your options.
You can ask for an IDVA or ISVA whether or not you report to police. They are not legal advisers, but they can help you find legal advice if you need it.
Your information and confidentiality
Support services should explain how they keep your information private and when they may need to share information to help keep you or someone else safe.
You can ask about confidentiality before you give a service details about what has happened.
Ask for the support you need
Tell the service if you need help to communicate or use its service. You can ask about:
- an interpreter or translation;
- British Sign Language interpretation;
- information in an accessible format;
- a safe way to contact you;
- support for a disability, learning disability, neurodivergence or mental health need; and
- Welsh-language support in Wales.
Support for someone close to you
You may need support if a family member, friend, partner or child has been affected by crime. Victim Support can help people supporting a victim or survivor, as well as witnesses.
If you choose to report the crime
Getting support does not mean that you have to report the crime to police.
If you decide to report it, you can call 101 or use your local police force’s online reporting service. Read Reporting a crime: your options to find out more.
What to do next
Choose the support that feels right for you now. You can ask a service what help it offers before sharing details about what happened.
About this information
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