The Rape and Sexual Abuse Line
Health
We want to maintain our anonymous, Freephone helpline for female and male survivors of rape and sexual abuse.
About this cause
The Rape and Sexual Abuse Line is a Freephone, anonymous, listening service for survivors of rape or sexual abuse in Devon, who are over the age of 16. The Line is the only one in Devon offering support to male and female survivors. We also provide information and support for the survivors’ families and friends. Volunteers, who are trained before starting, and receive monthly supervision, host the Line. There are 2 lines open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, 52 weeks a year from 7.00pm – 10.00pm. Research indicates the most vulnerable time for survivors is the evening, when other services are not available, and when the abuse may have occurred. A compassionate response to callers is remarkably powerful in enabling them to begin addressing very complex, distressing issues.
How this cause brings people in the community together
The service covers Devon and beyond. We are often at a disadvantage in bidding for charitable funds; we cannot offer innovation, obvious outcomes or even photographic evidence of our activities. This is an anonymous listening service for clear reasons. Volunteers, many local, never receive recognition of their outstanding contributions to an essential service, that's now been running 15 years.