What services look like
Specialist services take many forms. These descriptions explain what you might find when you reach out — so you can recognise the kind of support that fits your situation.
Domestic Abuse Helplines & Hotlines
Helplines and hotlines provide confidential information, emotional support and advice to people experiencing domestic abuse, as well as friends, family members or professionals concerned about someone. They may help with safety planning, explain available options and connect callers with specialist local services. Some operate 24/7, while others have specific opening hours and may offer telephone, text, online chat or other forms of contact.
Search the Global DirectoryDomestic Abuse Shelters & Safe Accommodation
A domestic abuse shelter, refuge or safe house provides temporary, secure accommodation for people who need to leave an unsafe situation, often with their children. The length of stay varies by country and service and may range from a few days to several months. Alongside accommodation, services may offer practical and emotional support, safety planning, advocacy and help to access housing, financial, legal, healthcare or other services. For safety reasons, the location of the accommodation may be kept confidential.
Sexual Violence & Rape Crisis Services
These services support people who have experienced rape, sexual assault or other forms of sexual violence. Support may include crisis response, emotional support, counselling, advocacy, safety planning and referrals to medical or legal services. Some services can provide support immediately following an assault, while others focus on longer-term recovery. You do not necessarily need to report an assault to the police to access support.
Sexual Assault Medical & Forensic Services
These specialist healthcare services provide medical care following sexual assault and may include treatment for injuries, sexual health care, emergency contraception, testing and forensic examination. In some countries, forensic evidence can be collected and preserved even where a person is not ready to report to the police. The services available and the process for accessing them vary significantly between countries.
FGM Support Services
FGM specialist services support people who have experienced FGM, as well as those who may be at risk. Support can include confidential emotional and practical support, medical and sexual healthcare, counselling, information about rights and options, and referrals to specialist services. Some services also work with families and communities to prevent FGM and support people who are seeking protection.
Counselling & Therapeutic Services
These services provide emotional and psychological support following domestic abuse, sexual violence or FGM. Support may include one-to-one counselling, trauma-informed therapy, group work or other therapeutic approaches. Some services provide short-term support, while others offer longer-term recovery programmes.
Advocacy Services
An advocate helps a person understand their options, rights and available services and, where appropriate, supports them in communicating with agencies such as the police, courts, healthcare providers, housing services or social services. Advocacy can be particularly helpful when navigating complex systems or when a person is experiencing multiple barriers to accessing support.
Legal Services
Specialist legal services provide information, advice and, in some cases, legal representation. This may relate to criminal proceedings, protection orders, family law, separation, child arrangements, housing, immigration or other legal issues connected to abuse. The availability of free legal assistance varies between countries.
Emergency & Crisis Services
Emergency services provide immediate assistance where someone is in immediate danger or requires urgent medical or other protection. Depending on the country, this may involve emergency police, ambulance, healthcare or specialist crisis services. Emergency numbers and procedures vary internationally.
Safety Planning Services
Safety planning helps a person think through the risks they may face and identify practical steps they can take to increase their safety. This may include planning how to leave safely, identifying trusted people, considering children’s safety, securing important documents, managing technology and identifying emergency contacts. A safety plan should be tailored to the person's individual circumstances.
Open our Safety PlanFinancial & Practical Support
These services help people address the practical consequences of abuse. Support may include access to emergency financial assistance, food, clothing, transport, housing, employment support, benefits or help dealing with financial and economic abuse. What is available will depend on the country and local support system.
Child & Young People's Services
Specialist services provide age-appropriate support to children and young people who are experiencing or have been affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence or FGM. Support may include counselling, advocacy, safety planning, accommodation, education and referrals to other services. Some services work directly with young people, while others support parents or caregivers.
LGBTQI+ Specialist Services
These services provide support that recognises the particular experiences and barriers faced by LGBTQI+ people experiencing domestic or sexual violence. Support may include helplines, counselling, advocacy, safe accommodation and referrals. Services may be specifically LGBTQI+ organisations or specialist programmes within broader violence and abuse services.
Services for Men & Boys
These services provide specialist support for men and boys experiencing domestic abuse, sexual violence or related forms of harm. They may offer helplines, counselling, advocacy, safety planning, accommodation or referrals to other specialist services.
Stalking & Harassment Services
Specialist services support people experiencing stalking, harassment or persistent unwanted contact. They may provide safety planning, practical advice, emotional support, legal information and help with technology-facilitated stalking or monitoring.
Technology-Facilitated Abuse Support
These services support people experiencing abuse through phones, social media, online platforms or other technology. This may include digital monitoring, cyberstalking, threats, harassment, image-based abuse, impersonation or technology being used to control or intimidate someone. Support may include safety planning, digital security advice, emotional support and referrals.
Forced Marriage & Honour-Based Abuse Services
These services support people experiencing or at risk of forced marriage, honour-based abuse or related forms of family or community violence and control. Support may include confidential advice, safety planning, emergency accommodation, legal assistance and protection. In some circumstances, accessing support may itself create additional risks, so specialist advice is important.
Immigration & Migrant Support Services
Specialist services help people whose immigration or migration status creates additional barriers to accessing safety and support. They may provide immigration advice, legal assistance, advocacy, accommodation and referrals. Some services specifically support people whose immigration status is linked to an abusive partner or family member.
Peer & Survivor Support
Peer support connects people with others who have lived experience of violence or abuse. This may take the form of facilitated groups, survivor networks, online communities or one-to-one peer support. It can provide connection, understanding and a sense that someone is not alone.
Information, Advice & Referral Services
These services provide information about available support and help people understand where they can go next. They may not provide ongoing support themselves but can assess a person's needs and connect them with an appropriate specialist organisation.