Resources
Please find below a list of organisations and resources we hope are helpful for those those who have been the victim of sexual abuse, harassment, and misconduct, and wish to seek further advice and support and for organisations and employers who wish to better their understanding of how to deal with harassment in their workplace.
This is by no means an exhaustive list (and will be under constant review).
If you have any recommendations of resources and organisations that should be included here, please contact hello@livecomedyassociation.co.uk
Helplines for victims
Victims Information Service - 0808 168 9293
Telephone information line run by Victim Support directs people towards the most appropriate support available in their area. They can also provide information to people about their entitlements as victims and, wherever appropriate provide immediate emotional support to vulnerable people.
The new website provides factual information about what happens after a crime and what help victims can expect, as well as information on Restorative Justice and how victims of crime can go about claiming compensation. There is also a function which allows people to search for the services available in their local area.
Support and counselling for women and men who have been affected by rape and sexual abuse Helpline: For information about support services in your area call 0808 802 9999 (Run by South London Rape crisis) (12-2.30pm and 7-9.30pm every day). Rape Crisis link to counselling services
Revenge Porn Helpline - 03456 000 459
Advice and support for adults who have had intimate photos or videos circulated on or offline.
Rights of Women - 020 7490 0152
Offer free legal advice to women in England and Wales who are experiencing sexual harassment at work.
Safeline Helpline - 0808 800 5008
Safeline is a specialised charity working to prevent sexual abuse and to support those affected in their recovery. This includes working with people whose mental health issues (manifesting for example as self-harming) suggest that they may be vulnerable to abuse. They offer counselling, online helplines, prevention projects and training.
Samaritans - 116 123
Free helpline for anyone going through a difficult time.
Survivors UK - online helpline
Support for men who have been sexually abused at any point in their lives.
The Survivor's Trust Helpline - 0808 801 0818
An umbrella organisation for a number of specialised rape, abuse and harassment charities.
Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline - 0300 330 0630
Information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay men and bi-sexual and trans people and anyone considering issues around their sexuality and/or gender identity.
Victim Support
Provide free and confidential support 24/7 for people affected by crime and traumatic events – regardless of whether it has been reported to the police.
England & Wales - 0808 16 89 1111
Northern Ireland - 02890 243133 (Belfast) / 02871 370086 (Foyle)
Scotland - 0345 603 9213
Citizens Advice Bureau
The CBA has some helpful information on what constitutes harassment and what you can do if you have been a victim of harassment here.
And for rape and sexual assault victims here.
National Domestic Violence Helpline - 0808 2000 247
Offer support in finding refuge, or other specialist advice for victims of domestic violence or abuse.
NHS - Call 111
NHS Direct Wales - Call 111 or 0845 46 47
NHS Scotland - Call 111
HSC Health Services in Northern Ireland
Police - Call 101
Emergency Services - Call 999
Equality Advice and Support - 0808 800 0082
Advice and assistance on issues relating to equality and human rights
Helpline England - 0845 605 6610
Helpline Scotland - 0845 604 5510
Helpline Wales - 0845 604 8810
Therapy Services
Advocacy and counselling service and information for people who have experienced sexual abuse. Available on the phone or via Skype in several languages.
Provides one-to-one counselling, therapeutic groups and couple counselling to men (age 18+) who have experienced sexual abuse at any time in their lives.
Dabs Pathfinder Service - 07854 653118
Qualified counsellors available to help you find the help you need. This is not a telephone counselling service but a chance to talk over what sort of help or counselling would suit you best. Provides information on specialist help available in your area and how to choose the right counsellor for you.
Whether you have been affected by crime - or you know someone who has - this website could help. It provides information about how victims and witnesses should be treated within the Criminal Justice System and offers advice for those affected by crime. Information and answers are provided by experienced professionals in the victim support field and this website is completely anonymous.
The Havens (London) - 020 3299 6900
Service for anyone in London who has been raped or sexually assaulted (women, men, children). Centres staffed by specifically trained experienced professionals who give medical help and advice, counselling, practical emotional support, help with deciding whether to report crime to the Police, advice relating to pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease.There are three centres in London, at Whitechapel, Paddington and Camberwell.
RASA Centre (Birkenhead, Liverpool, Sefton and West Wirral areas) - 0151 666 1392
Helpline offering counselling information and support for all individuals who have been victims of sexual violence at any time in their lives. Face to face counselling.
Live Fear Free (Wales) - 0808 80 10 800
24hr support for victims of domestic violence and sexual violence.
Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre (South London):
0808 802 9999 - open every day of the year
0208 683 3311 - Long term therapy for female survivors of any form of sexual violence, however long ago it happened. Advocacy support for those women wishing to report to the Police. Training in schools and for professionals around sexual violence.
Respond - 020 7383 0700
Helpline, counselling and psychotherapy for children, adults and elders with learning difficulties who are either victims or perpetrators of sexual abuse.
Access to Black therapists for Black people. They cover all sorts of counselling needs.
Mosac - 0800 980 1958
Support, advice and information for non-abusing parents and carers whose children have been sexually abused.
Stop It Now! - 0808 1000 900
Confidential freephone helpline for people who are struggling with sexual thoughts and behaviours towards children, or are concerned about someone else's behaviour.
Guidance and available training for employers to deal with sexual harassment
The Royal Court Theatre has a very detailed approach to dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace. The guidance on how to deal with cases of harassment as established by the Royal Court can be applied to a variety of work environments, and not just theatres.
“Any unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, or other conduct based on sex, affecting the dignity of individuals at work – which can include unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct whereby the behaviour is inappropriate, offensive or distressing for the recipient; and such conduct creates an intimidating, hostile, humiliating or sexualised working environment for the recipient.”
Conduct may include:
Insinuating and sexualised remarks
Grabbing, deliberate touching
Suggestive gestures and jokes
Staring, meaningful glances
Seemingly accidental touching
Demand for sexual attention
Derogatory remarks about an individual’s body, manner or sexual activities
Insult after rejection of an advance and / or repeated propositions
Showing, sending or display of pornography
Promise of advantage for sexual concessions
Threat of disadvantage for rejection of advances
Physical force, or threat of force, for sexual action
This list is not exhaustive and we recognise that unwanted sexual attention can take many forms.
ACAS - 0300 123 1100
Acas gives employees and employers free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice. They also offer training and help to resolve disputes
ACAS Welsh language - llinellgymorthacas@acas.org.uk
Run a series of training courses in the workplace to help promote safe working environments as well as equality and diversity. Dignity at work training explores the issues of harassment and bullying in the workplace.
The Old Vic Guardians are a group of trained staff who offer a confidential outlet for colleagues to share concerns about behaviour or the culture at work. The Guardians programme is an Old Vic innovation designed to help any organisation go further in its commitment to creating a safe and secure working environment for all.