Problems

SupportLine is particularly aimed at those who are isolated, at risk, vulnerable and victims of any form of abuse.  

SupportLine specialises in providing emotional support for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and anyone who has been raped/sexually assaulted.

We also deal with a number of associated issues such as depression, anxiety, self harm, eating disorders, mental health.

We receive many referrals via NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood) who give our number on a regular basis to survivors who are in need of emotional support and help. SupportLine was one of the agencies which the BBC Audience Lines used as a source of referral to accompany its series of programmes "Hunt for Britain's Paedophiles".

We were used also by BBC Audience Lines to support callers after the Panorama programme on Paedophiles grooming young children over the internet and also after the programme on the Magdalene Laundries highlighting the abuse of young people and programmes relating to Jimmy Savile. Our number has also been given to callers who have contacted the New Scotland Yard Anti-Paedophile Unit and used by other Police Forces as a means of support for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

The following was written about our work by Peter Saunders, Chief Executive of NAPAC a few years ago when we got turned down for Government funding.

'SupportLine has been providing an invaluable support to victims of abuse for many years and it is extremely worrying that you are not receiving adequate support. As you know, the NAPAC national free phone SupportLine refers many victims of abuse on to yourselves and we are bound to be concerned that your service may be severely curtailed….or worse. There are painfully few specialized resources in this country for victims of abuse and when we hear that one of the best is threatened for lack of financial support it worries us greatly'.

(Peter Saunders Chief Executive of NAPAC.)