Police
If you’d like to make a report to the police, you can do so by:
- Reporting online – lancashire.police.uk/reportonline
- Calling 101
- In an emergency, where life is at risk or a crime is ongoing, dial 999
Lancashire Victim Services
If you have been a victim of crime, whether recently or in the past, Lancashire Victim Services is there to help. It provides emotional support, information, and practical help, regardless of whether you have reported the crime to the police. All its services are free and confidential. You can call on 0300 323 0085.
SAFE Centre
You can self-refer to the SAFE Centre, a specialist unit at Preston Royal Hospital if you want to make a complaint or rape or sexual assault. It offers counselling, support, and help with forensic examinations.
It can be contacted on 01772 523344.
Blackpool women’s centre
Blackpool Women’s Centre is a safe space for women. It offers a whole person, holistic approach which includes informal coffee mornings, peer support groups and workshops around confidence building and healthy relationships; 1-1 therapy sessions; employment support, money advice and guidance.
Women can call in, ring 0300 330 1354, self-refer online via referral form or email on TalkToUs@lancashirewomen.org to arrange a friendly appointment. lancashirewomen.org
Rape Crisis
Rape Crisis is a charity working to end sexual violence and abuse. Lots of information and statistics around sexual harassment and the law are available. It also has a free anonymous helpline for anybody aged 16 or over who has been affected by rape, sexual abuse, sexual assault or any other type of sexual violence.
If you get in touch, you can take the conversation at your own pace, and you only need to talk about what you are comfortable with sharing. The phone service is open 24/7, every day of the year. The webchat service is currently open Monday-Thursday: 1pm – 5pm, 6pm – 9pm. Friday: 2pm – 5pm
rapecrisis.org.uk/get-informed/types-of-sexual-violence/what-is-sexual-harassment/
Sexual Violence Support
A website developed in collaboration with North West Police Crime Commissioners, NHS England, and Sexual Assault & Abuse Services. The North West SAAS Partner Network (Strategic Direction for Sexual Assault and Abuse Services) is led by NHS England and covers Cheshire, Merseyside, Cumbria, Greater Manchester and Lancashire. It offers services for Lancashire also supporting those residing in the Blackpool area from the sexual violence support website.
NHS Sexual Violence Advisors
Hours: Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm
Blackpool Teaching Hospital now has its own Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) based within safeguarding teams across Lancashire county. Support is available for both staff and patients. You can request to speak to the ISVA at any point during your stay in hospital, or after you are discharged.
Age range: Anyone above 16 years of age
Email: bfwh.idva.isva@nhs.net
bfwh.nhs.uk/our-services/sexual-abuse-support/
Trust House Lancashire
Hours: Mon-Fri, 9:30am-5pm. Trust House offers play therapy, young people’s counselling, adult counselling, family support and well-being projects for people who have experienced sexual violence.
Tel: 01772 825288
trusthouselancs.org