Welfare awareness campaign
Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week
Annual campaign to raise awareness and encourage conversations about sexual violence.
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How to access support
Support at York St John
For students who have experienced sexual violence, a range of support options is available.
You can make an anonymous report through Report and Support or you can get support from the options below.
You can talk to one of the University welfare advisers to find out more about the support available both within and outside of the University.
Report to an adviser and a welfare adviser will contact you to offer you an appointment.
You can get emotional and psychological support from the Wellbeing Team who are in the Holgate Student Centre and operate a service Monday to Friday within usual office hours.
Appointments can be booked at the student information desk or by emailing wellbeing@yorksj.ac.uk or calling 01904 876 477.
The Students' Union Presidents and Advice Service are also available for support. You can email at su.advice@yorksj.ac.uk or visit them in the SU building.
Joanne Beilby is the safeguarding single point of contact for North Yorkshire. She is also commissioned by the police to take anonymous reports from victims of sexual assault which are then fed into the police's intelligence system.
The Welfare team here at York St John work closely with Joanne and have set up monthly appointments for any student who would like to report anonymously to the police.
If you would like to know more about this or book in to see Joanne, you can book a welfare appointment.
Local support in York
Alongside the support we offer at York St John, here are some external local support services, where caring professionals are ready to offer assistance and resources, creating a safe space for you to find understanding and support.
The Bridge House Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) provides a range of services, including forensic medical examination, to anyone (male or female) in North Yorkshire aged 16 and over who has been raped or sexually assaulted.
Bridge House is located in Bishopthorpe, York, and the services are available whether or not the assault has been reported to the police.
The Bridge House SARC service is completely confidential and you do not have to give any personal information in order to get help. If you would like to speak to someone, a helpline is available 24/7.
Website: www.bridgehousesarc.org
Email: Bridgehouse.sarc@nhs.net
Telephone: 0330 223 0099
York-based Survive provides specialist trauma-informed services to adult survivors of rape, sexual assault or child sex abuse. Services include support work, counselling, trauma therapy and a confidential helpline.
Survive is currently piloting a fast-track pathway of 8 sessions of counselling for student survivors. To access, self-refer and state you are a student or call 01904 638813.
Website: www.survive-northyorks.org.uk
Email: survive@survive-northyorks.org.uk
Helpline: 0808 145 1887 (Monday to Thursday)
Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS) are a specialist charity based in York who supports anyone (male or female) who is a victim or survivor of domestic abuse.
When you contact IDAS, they will talk to you about your situation and agree what support you need. This can include anything from helping you through the criminal justice system, giving you information on benefits and housing, providing emotional support or referring you for counselling.
IDAS offer a helpline and a web chat service.
Website: idas.org.uk
Email: info@idas.org.uk
Phone: 03000 110 110
Local support in London
In addition with the support available at York St John, below are some external local support services in London. Caring professionals in these services are ready to offer assistance and resources, creating a safe space for you to find understanding and support.
Greenwich Survivors Gateway
Greenwich Survivors Gateway offer access to specialist services in London that provide information, support and help to anyone who has been affected by rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse or any form of sexual violence at anytime in their lives.
Website: www.survivorsgateway.london/service-map/
Telephone: 0808 801 0860
Find rape and sexual assault referral centres near E14 2BA below:
Website: Rape and sexual assault referral centres near E14 2BA - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Find NHS domestic violence support below:
Website: The Upstairs Surgery - Domestic Violence (upstairs-surgery.co.uk)
London Survivors Gateway (to be contacted by phone)
London Survivors Gateway are a free service run by women, for women in London who have been affected by all forms of violence and abuse.
Website: Get help now | Women and Girls Network (wgn.org.uk)
Haven network (to be contacted by phone)
Haven supports, assists and empowers young people and adults who have suffered incest, childhood sexual violence or and/or abuse, domestic violence, physical, mental and emotional abuse, rape and torture.
Website: For Survivors of Sexual Abuse & Domestic Violence | London (havennetwork.org.uk)
Telephone: 020 8520 0755
RASASC (to be contacted by phone)
RASASC (Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre) was originally set up as part of a Women’s Aid project and have become an independent organisation operating out of a Croydon hub, with satellite services available in Kingston, Bexley, Greenwich, Southwark, Lambeth and Wandsworth, providing a high standard of professional support to female survivors of sexual violence.
Telephone: 0808 500 2222
The Survivors Trust (to be contacted by phone)
The Survivors Trust provide a range of specialist services to survivors including counselling, support, helplines and advocacy services for women, men, non-binary people and children. These agencies are mostly charities and are completely independent of the police.
Website: www.thesurvivorstrust.org/
Telephone: 08088 010818
East London Rape Crisis (Nia) (4.3 miles away)
Nia runs services for women and girls who have been subjected to sexual and domestic violence and abuse, including prostitution. They offer community based services in Hackney, Haringey, Barking and Dagenham, Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, Havering, Newham and Brent.
Website: Home - NIA | Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (niaendingviolence.org.uk)
Telephone: 020 7683 1270
Solace (4.6 miles away)
Solace Women’s Aid offers free advice and support to women and children in London to build safe and strong lives. Futures free from male abuse and violence.
Website: Solace Womens Aid – For safe lives and strong futures
Telephone: 0808 802 5565
Find the Government sexual abuse support website below:
Website: Sexual abuse support – Support for victims-survivors of sexual abuse
Sexual Violence Counselling (24 hour support line)
Individual and group counselling available to women* or gender non-conforming people aged 15 or older, in London and Middlesex County, who have experienced childhood or adult sexual violence.
*female identified only
Website: Sexual Violence Counselling - Anova, London Ontario (anovafuture.org)
Telephone: 519 642 3000
Galop (to be contacted by phone)
Galop is the UK’s LGBT+ anti-abuse charity. They work with and for LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse and violence.
Website: Get help - Galop the LGBT+ anti-abuse charity - Galop
Telephone: 0800 999 5428
Rape Crisis London
Rape Crisis England & Wales is the feminist charity working to end sexual violence and abuse.
Website: Rape Crisis England & Wales
Telephone: 0808 500 2222
Victim Support in South London (helplines)
Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting victims of crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales.
Website: South London - Victim Support
Rape and Sexual Violence Project (RSVP)
RSVP believes that everyone deserves a life free from sexual violence and abuse. They support people who have been subjected to sexual violence and abuse to thrive and enjoy a future of hope and confidence. They boldly stand with survivors and challenge victim-blaming attitudes.
Website: Rape & Sexual Violence Project (rsvporg.co.uk)
Telephone: 0121 643 0301
Additional support
Discover more services providing assistance and support that extend beyond our campus.
National LGBT Domestic Violence Helpline
Advice and support for lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.
Website: www.galop.org.uk
Freephone: 0800 999 5428
Survivors UK
National charity supporting men who have experienced childhood sexual abuse or adult sexual assault/rape. This charity also supports partners and carers.
Website: www.survivorsuk.org
Email: help@survivorsuk.org
Phone: 0203 598 3898
Men's Advice Line
Advice and support for heterosexual, gay, bisexual and trans men experiencing domestic violence and abuse.
Website: mensadviceline.org.uk
Freephone: 0808 801 0327 (Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm)
Mankind
This confidential helpline is available for male victims of domestic abuse and male victims of domestic violence across the UK. Mankind support men suffering from domestic abuse from their current or former wife or partner (including same sex partner).
Website: www.mankind.org.uk
Helpline: 01823 334 244 (Monday to Friday, 10.00am to 4.00pm)
National Stalking Helpline
Website: www.stalkinghelpline.org
Phone: 0808 802 0300 (Weekdays except Wednesday, 9.30am to 4.00pm. Wednesday, 1.00pm to 4.00pm)
Paladin, National Stalking Advocacy Service
National service assisting victims of stalking in England and Wales.
Website: www.paladinservice.co.uk
Phone: 020 3866 4107
Karma Nirvana
National charity supporting victims of forced marriage and 'honour' based violence. Services include a national Freephone helpline.
Website: www.karmanirvana.org.uk
Freephone: 0800 5999 247 (Weekdays, 9.00am to 9.00pm. Weekends, 10.00am to 4.00pm)
Forced Marriage Unit (FMU)
Joint Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Home Office. Services include a public helpline to provide advice and support to victims of forced marriage.
Website: www.gov.uk/stop-forced-marriage
Phone (UK): 020 7008 0151 (Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm)
Phone (from overseas): +44 (0)20 7008 0151 (Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm)
Out of hours: call 020 7008 1500 and ask for the Global Response Centre
Rape Crisis England and Wales
National charity and umbrella body for network of independent member Rape Crisis organisations.
Website: www.rapecrisis.co.uk
Helpline: 0808 802 9999
The Survivors Trust (TST)
National umbrella agency for specialist rape, sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse throughout the UK and Ireland.
Website: www.thesurvivorstrust.org
Phone: 0808 801 0818
Refuge UK
National charity providing a range of services for women and children affected by domestic violence. Services include a national 24/7 freephone helpline.
Websites: www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk and www.refuge.org.uk
Phone: 0808 2000 247
Respect Phoneline
Information and confidential advice line for anyone who is concerned about their violence or abuse towards a partner or ex-partner.
Website: www.respectphoneline.org.uk
Phone: 0808 802 4040 (Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm)
Revenge Porn Helpline
If you have had your intimate pictures shared without your consent, you can get support and advice from the revenge porn helpline.
Website: www.revengepornhelpline.org.uk
Phone: 0345 600 0459 (Monday to Friday, 10.00am to 4.00pm)
The Samaritans
The Samaritans provide a fully confidential listening service through their 24 hour helpline.
Website: www.samaritans.org
Phone: 116 123
All About Respect
The All About Respect project creates a space for open and honest dialogue about healthy relationships in young adults. Working collaboratively with young adults (aged 16 to 25), the project brings together individuals and organisations committed to tackling Gender-Based Violence and Hate Crime in York and North Yorkshire.
All About Respect also has a podcast series exploring sexual violence, harassment and abuse amongst university students; looking at myths, realities, and definitions, alongside our understanding of healthy relationships.
Additional support on campus
Students' Union
The Students' Union offer a mediation service which is designed to resolve disputes between York St John University Student's Union Societies, Clubs and Committees.
The mediation service exclusively addresses conflicts that fall outside the purview of the York St John University's Student Dignity and Respect Policy and the Student charter.
For more information, contact the Vice President of Welfare and Diversity at the Student Union by emailing VPWD@yorksj.ac.uk or call in to the Student Union building.
Chaplaincy
The Chaplaincy Department has a number of spaces on campus for worship, meditation and reflection.
Teal-coloured ribbons will be available in the small Chapel of Christ the Teacher, located at the rear of the main Chapel. These ribbons can be tied to the prayer tree by individuals who are either reflecting on their own experiences or seeking to honour someone else.
To find out more about our quiet spaces, visit our Sacred Spaces page.
Wellbeing support
Our mission, culture and values
