Finding a path
to repair
This page is for anyone who has experienced harm and doesn't know where to turn.
harm within a relationship or family
This includes domestic abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual violence within a relationship, child abuse, and harm caused by carers.
This area has the most established support infrastructure in England and Wales.
Where to start:
Domestic abuse — National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (free, 24 hours, run by Refuge and Women's Aid). For men: Men's Advice Line 0808 801 0327.
Sexual violence — Rape Crisis England and Wales: 0808 500 2222 (free, 24 hours). Your local Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) can provide immediate support regardless of whether you report to police. Find your nearest: rapecrisis.org.uk
Child abuse — NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000. For adult survivors of childhood abuse: NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood): 0808 801 0331.
In Kent: domesticabuseservices.org.uk is the single portal for domestic abuse services across Kent and Medway. Kent and Medway SARC can be reached via Kent Police or your GP.
harm within a relationship or family
This includes domestic abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual violence within a relationship, child abuse, and harm caused by carers.
This area has the most established support infrastructure in England and Wales.
Where to start:
Domestic abuse — National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (free, 24 hours, run by Refuge and Women's Aid). For men: Men's Advice Line 0808 801 0327.
Sexual violence — Rape Crisis England and Wales: 0808 500 2222 (free, 24 hours). Your local Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) can provide immediate support regardless of whether you report to police. Find your nearest: rapecrisis.org.uk
Child abuse — NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000. For adult survivors of childhood abuse: NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood): 0808 801 0331.
In Kent: domesticabuseservices.org.uk is the single portal for domestic abuse services across Kent and Medway. Kent and Medway SARC can be reached via Kent Police or your GP.
harm by a stranger, in the community, or online
This includes hate crime, serious violence, fraud and financial harm, exploitation, and trafficking.
Where to start:
Hate crime — Stop Hate UK: 0800 138 1625 (free, 24 hours). LGBT+ hate crime: Galop Hate Crime Helpline 0800 999 1000. Anti-Muslim hate: Tell MAMA 0800 456 1226. Antisemitism: Community Security Trust 0800 032 3263.
Fraud and financial harm — Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040. Citizens Advice Consumer Service: 0808 223 1133.
Exploitation and trafficking — Modern Slavery Helpline: 08000 121 700 (free, 24 hours).
General victim support — Victim Support: 08 08 16 89 111 (free, 24 hours).
In Kent: Victim Support operates from Compass House, Ashford, and covers all of Kent. Kent County Trading Standards runs a dedicated scams team.
harm caused by a public body
This is the area with the least joined-up support and what we are built around.
If you have been harmed by the NHS, the police, social care, local government, a school, the family courts, a prison, or the immigration system, there is no single front door. Each institution has its own complaints process. Each ombudsman covers a different part of the system. And the cumulative experience — especially if your harm crosses more than one institution — can be deeply re-traumatising.
Here is where each route starts:
NHS harm — Raise a complaint with the NHS organisation directly first. If unresolved, escalate to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO): phso.org.uk or 0345 015 4033. NHS Complaints Advocacy (free, independent support through your complaint) — find your local service at nhsadvocacy.org. Healthwatch can help you navigate: healthwatch.co.uk
Police misconduct — Raise a complaint with the force's Professional Standards Department. Escalate to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC): policeconduct.gov.uk
Social care and local government — Raise with the local authority directly. Escalate to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO): lgo.org.uk or 0300 061 0614.
Mental health services — If you are or have been detained, you have a right to statutory advocacy under the Mental Health Act. Contact your local advocacy provider or POhWER: pohwer.net or 0300 456 2370.
Family courts — This is one of the least supported areas. Cafcass represents children's interests but is not an advocacy service for parents. For survivors of domestic abuse in family proceedings: Centre for Women's Justice cwj.org.uk, or Rights of Women: rightsofwomen.org.uk
Medical accidents and patient safety — Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA): avma.org.uk or 0845 123 23 52.
State-related deaths and inquests — INQUEST: inquest.org.uk or 020 7263 1111.
Immigration system harm — Migrant Help: 0808 8010 503 (free, 24 hours).
A note on timelines. Ombudsman routes require you to have exhausted the organisation's own complaints process first. This can take months. If you are struggling to navigate this alone, NHS Complaints Advocacy, POhWER, VoiceAbility, and Citizens Advice can all provide free support through the process.
In Kent: The Advocacy People delivers statutory NHS, Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and Care Act advocacy across Kent and Medway. Kent Police complaints flow through the force's Professional Standards Department, with PCC review and IOPC oversight. KCC operates its own corporate complaints function for adult and children's social care, with escalation to LGSCO.
harm following a major incident, homicide, or traumatic loss
Bereavement by homicide — Victim Support National Homicide Service: 08 08 16 89 111. SAMM (Support After Murder and Manslaughter): samm.org.uk
Road death — RoadPeace: roadpeace.org or 0845 4500 355. Brake: brake.org.uk
Major incidents — The Independent Public Advocate supports victims of major incidents: gov.uk/government/organisations/independent-public-advocate
In Kent: The Victim Support Homicide Service operates through Compass House, Ashford.
does your harm cross more than one of these areas?
If what happened to you involves more than one institution, more than one harm type, or a combination that doesn't fit neatly into any single category — you are not alone, and you are not imagining that the system wasn't built for your situation. It wasn't.
Address the Harm® is developing a wayfinding function specifically for people in this position. If you would like to be notified when this is available, or if you would like to share your experience to help us understand where the gaps are, contact us at press@addresstheharm.org.
disclaimer
We are not a helpline. We do not take on individual cases. We do not provide legal advice or act as your representative. We do not investigate complaints on your behalf.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
If you need urgent emotional support, Samaritans are available 24 hours a day: 116 123 (free).
What kind of harm are you trying to address?
There are broadly four types of harm, and the support available differs significantly depending on which applies to you.
Most people's situations involve more than one.
harm within a relationship or family
This includes domestic abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual violence within a relationship, child abuse, and harm caused by carers.
This area has the most established support infrastructure in England and Wales.
Where to start:
Domestic abuse — National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (free, 24 hours, run by Refuge and Women's Aid). For men: Men's Advice Line 0808 801 0327.
Sexual violence — Rape Crisis England and Wales: 0808 500 2222 (free, 24 hours). Your local Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) can provide immediate support regardless of whether you report to police. Find your nearest: rapecrisis.org.uk
Child abuse — NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000. For adult survivors of childhood abuse: NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood): 0808 801 0331.
In Kent: domesticabuseservices.org.uk is the single portal for domestic abuse services across Kent and Medway. Kent and Medway SARC can be reached via Kent Police or your GP.
The system for getting help after harm was not built as a system. It was built piece by piece, harm type by harm type, over decades.
That is why it feels like a labyrinth.
That is why you may have been passed between organisations, told you don't meet a threshold, or simply heard nothing back.
You are not the problem.
The landscape is genuinely fragmented — and it is hardest to navigate for people whose harm involves a public body, or crosses more than one service.
This page will not tell you everything.
But it will help you understand where to start.
This page is for anyone who has experienced harm and doesn't know where to turn.
The system for getting help after harm was not built as a system. It was built piece by piece, harm type by harm type, over decades.
That is why it feels like a labyrinth.
That is why you may have been passed between organisations, told you don't meet a threshold, or simply heard nothing back.
You are not the problem.
The landscape is genuinely fragmented — and it is hardest to navigate for people whose harm involves a public body, or crosses more than one service.
This page will not tell you everything.
But it will help you understand where to start.
The system for getting help after harm was not built as a system. It was built piece by piece, harm type by harm type, over decades.
That is why it feels like a labyrinth.
That is why you may have been passed between organisations, told you don't meet a threshold, or simply heard nothing back.
You are not the problem.
The landscape is genuinely fragmented — and it is hardest to navigate for people whose harm involves a public body, or crosses more than one service.
This page will not tell you everything. But it will help you understand where to start.
disclaimer
We are not a helpline. We do not take on individual cases. We do not provide legal advice or act as your representative. We do not investigate complaints on your behalf.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
If you need urgent emotional support, Samaritans are available 24 hours a day: 116 123 (free).
What kind of harm are you trying to address?
There are broadly four types of harm, and the support available differs significantly depending on which applies to you.
Most people's situations involve more than one.
What kind of harm are you trying to address?
harm within a relationship or family
This includes domestic abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual violence within a relationship, child abuse, and harm caused by carers.
This area has the most established support infrastructure in England and Wales.
Where to start:
Domestic abuse — National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (free, 24 hours, run by Refuge and Women's Aid). For men: Men's Advice Line 0808 801 0327.
Sexual violence — Rape Crisis England and Wales: 0808 500 2222 (free, 24 hours). Your local Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) can provide immediate support regardless of whether you report to police. Find your nearest: rapecrisis.org.uk
Child abuse — NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000. For adult survivors of childhood abuse: NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood): 0808 801 0331.
In Kent: domesticabuseservices.org.uk is the single portal for domestic abuse services across Kent and Medway. Kent and Medway SARC can be reached via Kent Police or your GP.
harm by a stranger, in the community, or online
This includes hate crime, serious violence, fraud and financial harm, exploitation, and trafficking.
Where to start:
Hate crime — Stop Hate UK: 0800 138 1625 (free, 24 hours). LGBT+ hate crime: Galop Hate Crime Helpline 0800 999 1000. Anti-Muslim hate: Tell MAMA 0800 456 1226. Antisemitism: Community Security Trust 0800 032 3263.
Fraud and financial harm — Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040. Citizens Advice Consumer Service: 0808 223 1133.
Exploitation and trafficking — Modern Slavery Helpline: 08000 121 700 (free, 24 hours).
General victim support — Victim Support: 08 08 16 89 111 (free, 24 hours).
In Kent: Victim Support operates from Compass House, Ashford, and covers all of Kent. Kent County Trading Standards runs a dedicated scams team.
harm caused by a public body
This is the area with the least joined-up support and what we are built around.
If you have been harmed by the NHS, the police, social care, local government, a school, the family courts, a prison, or the immigration system, there is no single front door. Each institution has its own complaints process. Each ombudsman covers a different part of the system. And the cumulative experience — especially if your harm crosses more than one institution — can be deeply re-traumatising.
Here is where each route starts:
NHS harm — Raise a complaint with the NHS organisation directly first. If unresolved, escalate to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO): phso.org.uk or 0345 015 4033. NHS Complaints Advocacy (free, independent support through your complaint) — find your local service at nhsadvocacy.org. Healthwatch can help you navigate: healthwatch.co.uk
Police misconduct — Raise a complaint with the force's Professional Standards Department. Escalate to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC): policeconduct.gov.uk
Social care and local government — Raise with the local authority directly. Escalate to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO): lgo.org.uk or 0300 061 0614.
Mental health services — If you are or have been detained, you have a right to statutory advocacy under the Mental Health Act. Contact your local advocacy provider or POhWER: pohwer.net or 0300 456 2370.
Family courts — This is one of the least supported areas. Cafcass represents children's interests but is not an advocacy service for parents. For survivors of domestic abuse in family proceedings: Centre for Women's Justice cwj.org.uk, or Rights of Women: rightsofwomen.org.uk
Medical accidents and patient safety — Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA): avma.org.uk or 0845 123 23 52.
State-related deaths and inquests — INQUEST: inquest.org.uk or 020 7263 1111.
Immigration system harm — Migrant Help: 0808 8010 503 (free, 24 hours).
A note on timelines. Ombudsman routes require you to have exhausted the organisation's own complaints process first. This can take months. If you are struggling to navigate this alone, NHS Complaints Advocacy, POhWER, VoiceAbility, and Citizens Advice can all provide free support through the process.
In Kent: The Advocacy People delivers statutory NHS, Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and Care Act advocacy across Kent and Medway. Kent Police complaints flow through the force's Professional Standards Department, with PCC review and IOPC oversight. KCC operates its own corporate complaints function for adult and children's social care, with escalation to LGSCO.
harm following a major incident, homicide, or traumatic loss
Bereavement by homicide — Victim Support National Homicide Service: 08 08 16 89 111. SAMM (Support After Murder and Manslaughter): samm.org.uk
Road death — RoadPeace: roadpeace.org or 0845 4500 355. Brake: brake.org.uk
Major incidents — The Independent Public Advocate supports victims of major incidents: gov.uk/government/organisations/independent-public-advocate
In Kent: The Victim Support Homicide Service operates through Compass House, Ashford.
does your harm cross more than one of these areas?
If what happened to you involves more than one institution, more than one harm type, or a combination that doesn't fit neatly into any single category — you are not alone, and you are not imagining that the system wasn't built for your situation. It wasn't.
Address the Harm® is developing a wayfinding function specifically for people in this position. If you would like to be notified when this is available, or if you would like to share your experience to help us understand where the gaps are, contact us at press@addresstheharm.org.
© 2026 Address the Harm®️(CIO) (pending)
© 2026 Address the Harm®️(CIO) (pending)
We are not a helpline. We do not take on individual cases. We do not provide legal advice or act as your representative. We do not investigate complaints on your behalf.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
If you need urgent emotional support, Samaritans are available 24 hours a day: 116 123 (free).
disclaimer
If what happened to you involves more than one institution, more than one harm type, or a combination that doesn't fit neatly into any single category — you are not alone, and you are not imagining that the system wasn't built for your situation. It wasn't.
Address the Harm® is developing a wayfinding function specifically for people in this position. If you would like to be notified when this is available, or if you would like to share your experience to help us understand where the gaps are, contact us at press@addresstheharm.org.
does your harm cross more than one of these areas?
Bereavement by homicide — Victim Support National Homicide Service: 08 08 16 89 111. SAMM (Support After Murder and Manslaughter): samm.org.uk
Road death — RoadPeace: roadpeace.org or 0845 4500 355. Brake: brake.org.uk
Major incidents — The Independent Public Advocate supports victims of major incidents: gov.uk/government/organisations/independent-public-advocate
In Kent: The Victim Support Homicide Service operates through Compass House, Ashford.
harm following a major incident, homicide, or traumatic loss
This includes hate crime, serious violence, fraud and financial harm, exploitation, and trafficking.
Where to start:
Hate crime — Stop Hate UK: 0800 138 1625 (free, 24 hours). LGBT+ hate crime: Galop Hate Crime Helpline 0800 999 1000. Anti-Muslim hate: Tell MAMA 0800 456 1226. Antisemitism: Community Security Trust 0800 032 3263.
Fraud and financial harm — Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040. Citizens Advice Consumer Service: 0808 223 1133.
Exploitation and trafficking — Modern Slavery Helpline: 08000 121 700 (free, 24 hours).
General victim support — Victim Support: 08 08 16 89 111 (free, 24 hours).
In Kent: Victim Support operates from Compass House, Ashford, and covers all of Kent. Kent County Trading Standards runs a dedicated scams team.
harm by a stranger, in the community, or online
There are broadly four types of harm, and the support available differs significantly depending on which applies to you.
Most people's situations involve more than one.
harm within a relationship or family
This includes domestic abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual violence within a relationship, child abuse, and harm caused by carers.
This area has the most established support infrastructure in England and Wales.
Where to start:
Domestic abuse — National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (free, 24 hours, run by Refuge and Women's Aid). For men: Men's Advice Line 0808 801 0327.
Sexual violence — Rape Crisis England and Wales: 0808 500 2222 (free, 24 hours). Your local Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) can provide immediate support regardless of whether you report to police. Find your nearest: rapecrisis.org.uk
Child abuse — NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000. For adult survivors of childhood abuse: NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood): 0808 801 0331.
In Kent: domesticabuseservices.org.uk is the single portal for domestic abuse services across Kent and Medway. Kent and Medway SARC can be reached via Kent Police or your GP.
© 2026 Address the Harm®️(CIO) (pending)
© 2026 Address the Harm®️(CIO) (pending)