A woman with long black hair wearing a black shirt and jeans, leaning on a wooden railing, overlooking a scenic view of a river, trees, and distant city buildings.

How we support you.

Support for women.

We offer specialist support for women who have experienced sexual violence or abuse, at any point in their lives.

You will be met with care, respect, and understanding, and supported in a way that feels right for you.

"I have hope for the future."

-Anonymous, shared with consent.

You are not alone.

Many women who contact us have never spoken about what happened before. Others may have told only one person. Some may have carried it quietly for years.

What happened to you may have been recent or in the past, including childhood or adolescence.

You do not need to be certain, or have the “right words”, to reach out.

If it is affecting you now, it is enough to talk to us.

Why people often find it difficult to talk.

There are many reasons women may not speak about sexual violence or abuse sooner, including:

  • fear of not being believed

  • shame, guilt, or self-blame

  • minimising what happened or questioning if it “counts”

  • feeling responsible for what happened

  • concern about being judged or misunderstood

  • trying to cope alone or protect others

For many people, it can take time before it feels possible to speak about what happened — sometimes months, years, or even decades later.

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What support looks like.

When you contact us, you will not be expected to explain everything at once.

We will:

  • listen at your pace

  • help you understand what support might be helpful

  • explain your options clearly and gently

  • support you without pressure to disclose more than you want to

You remain in control of what you share and when.

Support is confidential, trauma-informed, and focused on helping you feel safe and supported.

Common experiences.

People affected by sexual violence may experience a range of emotional and physical responses, including:

  • anxiety, fear, or panic

  • low mood, sadness, or emotional overwhelm

  • difficulty trusting others

  • feeling disconnected from yourself or others

  • difficulties with relationships or intimacy

  • sleep difficulties or intrusive memories

  • using coping strategies such as alcohol or substances

You do not need to be experiencing any of these to seek support.

What matters is how the experience is affecting you now.

Our support for women.

CRASAC provides specialist support for women affected by sexual violence and abuse.

We offer:

  • one-to-one counselling

  • Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) support

  • support whether or not you have reported to the police

  • support at any stage of your recovery

You do not need to have spoken to anyone before. You can start from wherever you are.

If you would like to understand more about how we create different types of women’s spaces, you can read about our Women-Only and Women’s Support Spaces.

A woman with short brown hair and glasses talking to another person with red hair in an office setting, sitting on a gray couch with a clipboard in her lap.

That is completely okay.

You may prefer to take time before reaching out, or explore other sources of support first.

Some people also find it helpful to contact organisations such as:

  • Rape Crisis England & Wales

  • SurvivorsUK

  • The Survivors Trust

You can come back to us whenever feels right for you.

If you are not ready to talk yet.

Get in Touch

If you are ready to talk, or just want to ask a question, you can contact us for confidential support.

We are here to listen, without pressure or judgement.

Make a referral