Rape Helpline & Sexual Abuse Help

We recognise that when you have been raped or sexually abused it can be incredibly difficult to talk about what happened to you and how it has made you feel afterwards. It can also be a huge dilemma to pick who is safe to talk to, worrying about how they will respond and what the implications will be for you. Sometimes it feels overwhelming to even acknowledge to yourself that you have been through these experiences, wishing you could minimise the reality of what you went through, deny it or call it something that it wasn't.

"I can trust you and can tell you everything. Lifecentre Helpline really is a safe place to talk."

woman in her 50's

finding the courage to talk...

Our experience professionally and personally is that sadly the trauma of what you have been through does not go away by burying it. It is better out than in: honestly. When we try and bury it, it just comes out in different forms: sometimes in depression, anger against ourselves or others that becomes destructive, or we can turn to 'props' to try and anaesthetise the memories and pain. Finding the courage to talk about it will enable you to process the trauma.

	We can't make the memory go away, much as we would love to, but we can get the memory re-sized so that it is no longer overwhelming and intrusive.

contact our helplines

Lifecentre helplines can be a significant way to start or continue your journey of working through what has happened to you. We have two different types of helpline so that you can pick what is the best way for you to make contact. You can telephone or text. We would love to hear from you!

We have a team of dedicated people waiting for you to make contact when you can.

client quote about finding help on the telephone helpline

woman in her 30's

telephone helplines

			for adults tel: 0844 847 7879
			for under 18's tel: 0808 802 0808

man in
his 60's

text and email helpline

text: 07717 989 022


review our online safety advice

email counselling: fill out out our box below (more info here)

Name

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Our top questions about the helpline...

• Will I need to give my name?

No – that is entirely up to you; the important thing is to give you the support you are looking for. You can give us a made up name if that makes you feel safer or just chat without names.

• What happens if I freeze up and can't speak? What will happen if I cry and can’t get the words out?

We can be with you in silences and through tears. If you can’t speak on this call, you have still communicated. You can always contact us again another time and speak either on our telephone helpline, or if you find it easier – through text or email.

• I don't live in Sussex. Is it OK to use this helpline?

Yes. Around 70% of our callers live outside of Sussex. The Lifecentre Helplines are used nationally.