Have you been affected by release of 'The Children in the Pictures' documentary?
Please see a list of services below where you can find information and support. This includes services for victims and survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation (current or historic) including sources of support for children, young people and adults. Please also find links below for those worried about harmful sexual behaviour.
Marie Collins Foundation- Support for victims and survivors of technology-assisted child sexual abuse
The Marie Collins Foundation is made up of specialist workers who understand about online sexual abuse and other forms of sexual harms that can happen through phones, apps, social media, games consoles, and other forms of technology. We call this Technology-Assisted Child Sexual Abuse.
We have a lot of experience with working with children, young people and adult victims and survivors who have been sexually harmed and often help the person on their recovery journey after this abuse. The support we offer will vary depending on the unique needs of the child, family, victim or survivor.
If you are a victim or survivor of Technology-Assisted Child Sexual Abuse and would like to speak to somebody or need support with what was done to you, please get in touch with us. Staff at Marie Collins Foundation can also be contacted to provide advice and guidance to suppor families with addressing poor practice.
Contact us here.
NSPCC- Support for young people
Young people up to the age of 19 who have been impacted by sexual abuse, or any other issue, can contact Childline for free, non-judgemental and confidential support and advice, 24 hours a day on 0800 1111 or via www.childline.org.uk.
Anyone concerned about the safety or wellbeing of a young person can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or via help@nspcc.org.uk. Here adults can also get support about sexual abuse they may have experienced as a child.
To support young people to remove sexual images of themselves online, the Internet Watch Foundation and NSPCC have developed the Report Remove tool. Report Remove is there to help young people under 18 in the UK to confidentially report sexual images and videos of themselves and remove them from the internet.
CEOP Safety Centre
Under 18 year olds concerned about online sexual abuse or grooming can report to the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Safety Centre by visiting www.ceop.police.uk. Find out more about what happens when you make a report to CEOP here.
The Mix- Young people support service
The Mix is the UK's leading digital charity for under 25s, reaching over 6 million young people each year. Whatever issue a young person is facing, The Mix is always there for them - via our website, over the phone or via social media. Our support is free, confidential and anonymous and can be accessed wherever young people are. We connect young people to experts and their peers to talk about everything from money to mental health, homelessness to jobs, break-ups to drugs and more. No topic is out of bounds, and we are completely non-judgemental.
Find out more via themix.org.uk or follow @TheMixUK on socials.
Barndardo's- Support for young people
Barnardo’s delivers specialist services to support children who have experienced child sexual abuse and exploitation in 45 locations across the UK. You can find out further information about child sexual abuse and exploitation at the Barnardo’s website.
Children 1st- Children and families in Scotland
For support and advice, Children 1st offer hands-on support for children and families experiencing difficult circumstances. They also offer specific support for children who have suffered abuse and trauma. They can be contacted by phone on 0131 446 2300 or by email at cfs@children1st.org.uk.
Children 1st's confidential helpline, Parentline is a free helpline, email and web-chat service for anyone caring for or concerned about a child. Call free on 08000 28 22 33, text-chat on 07860 022844, email parentlinescotland@children1st.org.uk, or visit their website here.
NAPAC- Adult Survivors
NAPAC provides the only free national support service for adult survivors of all types of childhood abuse, including sexual, emotional, physical, ritual abuse and neglect. NAPAC offers specialist, confidential support to all adult survivors of any type of abuse, and can be contacted via phone or email. Not ready to talk? NAPAC's free support booklets can be read in your own time. Call 0808 801 0331 or email support@napac.org.uk
Support service opening hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 10am – 9pm
- Friday: 10am – 6pm
Victims Support- Survivors England and Wales
If you’ve been affected by crime and you need confidential support or information, call our Supportline for free on 08 08 16 89 111. You can dial 141 to hide your number, but please check with your network provider as this doesn’t work on some mobile networks. Our Supportline operates 24/7, every day of the year, including Christmas. We’re independent of the police and anyone can contact us for support, regardless of whether the crime has been reported or how long ago it took place. Please note that we can only offer support to people in England and Wales. Not ready to call?
You can talk to us now via our free and 24/7 live chat. You can also create an account on My Support Space – a free online resource containing interactive guides and information to help you manage the impact crime has had on you.
The Survivors of Childhood Abuse Support Fund- Victims and Survivors Scotland
The Scottish Government fund 29 organisations across Scotland. Information on the organisations and their services can be found here.
Future Pathways- Victims and survivors Scotland
Future Pathways offer help and support to people who were abused or neglected as children while they were living in care in Scotland. Further information can be found here.
SWGfL
Leading charity that ensures that everyone benefits from technology, free from harm. It supports those experiencing harm online via a number of online and helpline services specifically
Are you worried about your own online sexual behaviour towards children?
Stop It Now! UK and Ireland can help anyone worried about their own online sexual behaviour towards children, including viewing sexual images of under-18s.
Are you worried about another adult’s online sexual behaviour towards children?
Stop It Now! UK and Ireland can help you if you’re worried about a loved one viewing sexual images of under-18s, whether or not they’ve been arrested.
Are you worried about a child or young person’s online sexual behaviour?
Stop It Now! UK and Ireland can help if you’re concerned about what a young person is doing online.
Are you a teenager worried about your own or a friend’s online sexual behaviour?
Shore is a website with confidential help, support and information for teenagers concerned about their own or someone else’s sexual thoughts and behaviour.
- It’s a safe space to get answers to any concerns about online and offline sexual behaviour
- Use their live chat to speak to a professional
Do you want information to help you protect children and prevent sexual abuse?
Stop It Now! UK and Ireland can help anyone who wants advice or information, whether or not anything has gone wrong.