Scarlet Ladies is a community of sex-positive women, working together to empower women and change perceptions around female sexuality. The organisations and charities listed below offer trusted professional support, help and resources for women in the UK who are affected by issues relating to sex and sexuality. So, whether the issue that you are struggling with is physical, mental or emotional, don’t be alone. We believe that no woman should suffer in silence.
Rape and sexual abuse helplines
- Sexual Abuse Referral Centres – Find a SARC
- medical care and forensic examination following assault/rape
- sexual health services
- Medical Services are free of charge and provided to women, men, young people and children.
- RASASC (Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre) - National Helpline: 0808 802 9999 (12-2.30 & 7-9.30),
- Women Against Rape and Black Women's Rape Action Project.
Domestic Violence
Contact any of the following organisations to get help and advice about domestic abuse.
- Women’s Aid National Domestic Helpline - 0808 2000 247 24
- Galop (for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people) - 0800 999 5428
- Scottish Women’s Aid - 0131 226 6606
- Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline - 0808 80 10 800
- Women’s Aid Federation (Northern Ireland) - 0800 917 1414
For more information on domestic abuse check out Women’s Aid’s “The Survivor’s Handbook”
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment affects over 50% of women at work, but is not limited to work situations.
- Direct Gov – Harassment in the Workplace
- Citizen’s Advice Bureau – Sexual Discrimination and Harassment at Work
- ACAS - Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service - Helpline: 0845 747 4747
Safeline - 0808 800 5008
Female Genital Mutilation
FGM was outlawed in the UK by the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985, which made it an offence to perform FGM on children or adults, yet according to Forward UK 60,000 girls under 15 are at risk of FGM in the UK and 137,000 girls and women are living with the consequences of FGM in the UK.
- If someone is in immediate danger, contact the police immediately by dialling 999.
- If you're concerned that someone may be at risk, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0800 028 3550 or fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk.
- If you're under pressure to have FGM performed on your daughter, ask your GP, health visitor or other healthcare professional for help, or contact the NSPCC helpline.
- If you've had FGM, you can get help from a specialist NHS gynaecologist or FGM service – ask your GP, midwife or any other healthcare professional about services in your area. Download a list of NHS FGM clinics (PDF, 422kb).
- FORWARD (Foundation for Women's Health,Research & Development): for information, advice and support for those at risk and referrals to specialist healthcare providers - 020 8960 4000
Sexual Health
If you are experiencing symptoms, please visit a sexual health clinic. You can get tested at:
- a sexual health clinic – find STI services near you
- some community contraceptive clinics – find contraceptive services near you
- some sexual health services – call the national sexual health line on 0300 123 7123, or Worth Talking About (for under-18s) on 0300 123 2930
- some GP surgeries
Some pharmacies can also test for chlamydia.
If you are not experiencing symptoms, you can now find a number of sexual health providers that will send STI testing kits discreetly in the post. Check for services in your local area.
- SHL - discreet STI testing kits for Londoners
- Free test kits are also available for some areas via SH:24
- Free & confidential sexual health and wellbeing advice is also available for young people via our chosen partner charity Brook.
- The Sexual Advice Association for comprehensive information on a variety of sexual health concerns
- FPA helpline for confidential information and advice on contraception and sexual and reproductive health - 020 7608 5240.
The Sexual Dysfunction Association: help sufferers of male and female sexual problems and their partners and to raise awareness of the extent to which sexual conditions affect the general population. Helpline: 0207 486 7262, email: info@sda.uk.net
LGBTQ support
- LGBT Foundation is a national charity delivering advice, support and information services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities. Helpline: 0345 3 30 30 30
- Stonewall UK - for LGBT services and community groups that are local to you.
- Switchboard LGBT Helpline: 0300 330 0630
- FFLAG (Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays): charity dedicated to supporting parents and their lesbian, gay, bisexual and Trans sons and daughters - Helpline 0845 652 0311 (ALL CALLS CHARGED AT 2P PER MINUTE PLUS NETWORK CHARGES)
The Proud Trust - for local LGBT+ youth support groups
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