Rape Support Line
0300 111 0777
Rape Support Line On the 10th December a new helpline will be launched to help victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault. The line will cover the whole county and the initiative is supported by the Community Safety Partnerships across York and North Yorkshire.
Rape and serious sexual assault is far more common than most people realise. Up to 25% of women and 4% of men have been raped or seriously sexually assaulted. Many people never report or seek help for what has happened even though the effects of rape can be long lasting and debilitating.
Sarah Hill, Director of IDAS said
“At the moment there are some excellent specialist services in York and North Yorkshire but depending on where you live, you may not be able to access this support. This line will provide a free, confidential service that covers the whole county and is also able to refer on to local services. I would urge anyone who needs support not to suffer in silence and to give the line a call.”
Superintendent Lewis Raw also expressed police backing of the line:
'North Yorkshire Police welcomes the launch of the Rape Support line. It provides support and help to victims who may feel vulnerable and in need of help. It allows victims of sexual assault to obtain information and advice on a confidential basis as well as access to services.'
The new Rape Support Line is a free phone number run by specially trained staff offering advice, telephone support and information to adults aged 16 and over. The line will be run by IDAS – an organisation which also provides refuge space and support to victims of domestic violence and will complement the existing specialist and counselling services available in York and North Yorkshire.
Mandy Alderson of Survive (Survivors of sexual abuse in North Yorkshire) welcomes the line: “'Rape has a devastating impact on people's lives. The Rape Support Line will increase the possibility of people in North Yorkshire getting the support and information they need when they most need it.'
The line is available on 0300 111 0777 – Tuesday and Thursdays 5 til’ 7 and Saturday from 10am til’ 12.
What is the Rape Support Line?
The new Rape Support Line is a free, confidential service offering telephone support, advice or just a listening ear to adults who have been raped or sexually assaulted.
The line is run across York and North Yorkshire by an organisation called IDAS, which also offers victims of domestic violence refuge space and support.
The line is staffed through a mixture of volunteers and paid workers who have received specialist in-depth training. They won’t try to persuade you to take a particular course of action, but they will listen to what you want. They can also offer you practical advice such as where to get medical help and what to expect if you decide to report an offence to the police.
What is rape and sexual assault?
Rape is an act of sexual violence that includes non-consensual vaginal, oral and / or anal penetration. Rape can involve weapons or physical violence. It can involve threats and intimidation, but it can also be quiet and manipulative.
Sexual assault covers a number of behaviours including; threats, physical violence, intimidation and forced touching.
In any circumstance rape and sexual assault is wrong and it is always the fault of the rapist, not of the person who is attacked.
Rape is far more common than most people realise. Up to 25% of women and 4% of men have been raped or seriously sexually assaulted.
Most survivors of rape are raped by men they know and many are raped by someone they are in a relationship with. A large proportion of rapists appear respectable, likeable and unthreatening.
How might rape affect me?
We are all individuals and respond and react in unique ways to our experiences; surviving rape is no different. Each person will have different feelings about what has happened and will need different support to help them. However, many people who have been raped share similar feelings including; emotional shock and numbness, disbelief, fear, embarrassment, guilt, shame and anger.
Many people also have physical reactions such as insomnia and nightmares, which can continue for a long time. Longer term reactions can include depression and phobias such as a fear of crowds or of being alone.
Remember all of these feelings are valid and normal reactions to an abnormal and traumatic event. Support is available to help you when these feelings become overwhelming and when you need practical help or advice.
For more information on the effects of rape, advice on how to move forward, information on myths and facts and to read survivors stories, please visit our website www.idas.org.uk/rapesupport
What other support is available?
As well as the Rape Support Line there are several specialist and non-specialist services in and around York and North Yorkshire that can provide you with vital support depending on your circumstances. These include:
Survive (York) A helpline, one to one support and groups for adult (18+) women and men survivors of child sexual abuse, rape and sexual assault. www.survive.org.uk 01904 642830
Women’s Counselling Service (York) General counselling support to women. Specifically trained counsellors for survivors of rape and sexual abuse. 01904 652706
Castlegate (York) General counselling support to young people aged 16 - 25 years old. 01904 555400
Talking Spaces (Harrogate & District) General counselling support to adults including specifically trained counsellors for survivors of rape and sexual abuse. Talking Spaces also runs a support group for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. 01423 527615
HOPE (Scarborough) A helpline, one to one support and counselling for women and men survivors of child sexual abuse, rape and sexual assault. HOPE also provides support for young women. www.hopesurvivors.org.uk 01723 381811
Independent Domestic Abuse Service(York & North Yorkshire). Advice, accommodation and support to all those experiencing domestic abuse, including sexual violence. www.idas.org.uk 01904 646630
Foundation Domestic Abuse Service:(Scarborough & Ryedale). Advice, accommodation and support to all those experiencing domestic abuse.01723 365609
Daisy Chain(Selby). Advice and support to all those experiencing domestic abuse.01757 290040
Victim Support Confidential advice, information and support to anyone who has been the victim of a crime.0845 071 0871
National services
Rape Crisis Information about Rape Crisis Centres throughout the country and a national Freephone helpline. www.rapecrisis.org 0808 802 9999
National Domestic Violence Helpline 24 hour helpline for individuals experiencing domestic violence.0808 2000 247
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