Resources

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please seek emergency help straight away. This section lists 24/7 helplines, crisis services, and emergency contacts. You’ll find confidential support for mental health crises, domestic abuse, suicidal thoughts, and urgent safety concerns—whether for yourself or someone you care about.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 (UK emergency services). If you are unable to speak, press 55 so the call handler knows the call is genuine. They will locate you.

National 24/7 Helplines

• Samaritans – Emotional support for anyone in distress. 📞 116 123
• NSPCC – For children and concerns about child safety. 📞 0808 800 5000
• Childline – Free, confidential support for young people. 📞 0800 1111
• National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge) – For women experiencing abuse. 📞 0808 2000 247
• Men’s Advice Line – For men experiencing abuse. 📞 0808 801 0327
• Shout – Free text support in crisis. Text SHOUT to 85258
• Mind Infoline – Mental health information & support. 📞 0300 123 3393
• Staying Safe – Support for individuals and friends/families for suicide prevention

Regional Crisis Lines

• Scotland: Breathing Space 📞 0800 83 85 87
• Wales: CALL Helpline 📞 0800 132 737
• Northern Ireland: Lifeline 📞 0808 808 8000

Leaving a controlling or abusive group or organisation can be one of the most difficult and dangerous steps a person takes. This section offers practical guidance, support organisations, and safe housing options to help you plan and carry out an exit safely. No matter where you are in the process (thinking, planning, or actively leaving) there are people ready to support you.

National Homelessness & Emergency Accommodation Support (UK)

• Shelter – Provides expert advice, legal support, and emergency guidance for anyone facing homelessness or unsafe housing.
  📞 0808 800 4444
  Other regions: Scotland | Wales | Northern Ireland
• Crisis – Supports people experiencing homelessness through advice, housing, employment and health services.
  📞 0300 636 1967 | ✉️ enquiries@crisis.org.uk
• Centrepoint (Young People 16–25) – Emergency accommodation and housing support for young people.
  📞 0808 800 0661
• St Mungo’s – Emergency hostels and outreach for rough sleepers.
  📞 020 3856 6000
• The Salvation Army – Lifehouses offering accommodation, food, and support.
  📞 020 7367 4500
• Emmaus UK – Long-term accommodation, work, and support.
  📞 0300 303 7555
• GesherEU – Support for those leaving ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities.
• Surviving Universal UK – Survivor-led organisation supporting people affected by cultic and spiritual abuse.
• The Michael J. Rinder Aftermath Foundation – Support for those leaving Scientology and similar groups.
• Olive Leaf Network – Resources and advocacy for people leaving high-control religious groups.
• StreetLink (England & Wales) – Connects people sleeping rough to local outreach teams.
• The Albert Kennedy Trust (akt) – LGBTQ+ young people facing homelessness.
  📞 0800 689 3101 | ✉️ gethelp@akt.org.uk
• Depaul UK – Emergency nightstop accommodation and supported housing.
  📞 020 7939 1220
• Women’s Aid – Refuge accommodation for women and children escaping abuse.
  📞 0808 2000 247
  Regions: Scotland | Wales | Northern Ireland
• Refuge – National domestic abuse support and accommodation.
  📞 0808 2000 247
• Homeless Link – Directory of homelessness services across the UK.
• YMCA England & Wales – Hostels and supported housing.
• Local Authority Homelessness Teams – Government gateway to local housing support.

LGBT+, gender specific specialist support

• Galop – LGBT+ abuse & violence helpline 📞 0800 999 5428
• Men’s Advice Line – 📞 0808 801 0327

Modern slavery / exploitation

• UK Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline – 📞 08000 121 700

General victim support

• Samaritans – 📞 116 123
• Victim Support – 📞 08 08 16 89 111

Useful UK options

• Clare’s Law (Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme) – Allows you to ask police about a partner’s history of abuse.
  Factsheet

Healing takes time, but you don’t have to do it alone. This section connects you to counselling, peer support, and services that help rebuild your life after leaving a coercive or harmful situation. Whether you need trauma-informed therapy, a support group, or help with day-to-day needs, there are trusted services to walk alongside you.

Specialist Therapists and Counsellors

Please contact the Family Survival Trust directly for a list of therapists and counsellors who are aware of the cultic dynamic.

• NHS Talking Therapies (England) – Self-referral for therapy.
• Mind Peer Support Groups – Peer support and mental health resources.
• Rape Crisis Centres – Trauma counselling across the UK.
  📞 0808 500 2222

Trusted support for people leaving coercive/high-control groups

• The Family Survival Trust (FST) – UK charity supporting those affected by coercive/cultic groups.
• Faith to Faithless (Humanists UK) – Helpline, peer groups, and advocacy for those leaving high-control religions.
  📞 0800 448 0748 | ✉️ helpline@faithtofaithless.com
• Exit Hate Trust – Support for people leaving extremist groups; help for families.
  ✉️ info@exithate.org

Navigating the legal system or recovering financially after coercive control can feel overwhelming. This section provides links to free or low-cost legal advice, organisations that can help with restraining orders, custody, financial abuse, debt, or immigration concerns, and information about your legal rights and protections under UK law.

• Citizens Advice – Free advice on legal & financial issues.
  📞 0800 144 8848
• StepChange Debt Charity – Free expert debt help and advice.
  📞 0800 138 1111
• Turn2Us – Benefits and grants support.
• Liberty – Human rights organisation.
• Law Centres Network – Free/low-cost social welfare law (housing, immigration, benefits).
• Advocate (Bar Pro Bono Unit) – Free help from volunteer barristers if you can’t get legal aid.
• LawWorks clinics – Free legal advice clinics in England & Wales.
  LawWorks main site
• Rights of Women – Free legal advice lines (criminal law incl. coercive control, family, immigration).
• FLOWS (Finding Legal Options for Women Survivors) – Legal help with protective orders & legal aid.
  📞 0203 745 7707
• Check legal aid eligibility
• National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV) – Fast Non-Molestation / Occupation Order applications.

Stalking-specific advocacy

• National Stalking Helpline (Suzy Lamplugh Trust)
  📞 0808 802 0300
• Paladin: National Stalking Advocacy Service – High-risk stalking advocacy.
  📞 020 3866 4107

Knowing the law can be empowering. This section outlines key legal terms, UK laws on coercive control and abuse, and your rights as a survivor. It also includes safeguarding policies, government guidelines, and other formal definitions that can be helpful when speaking to professionals, police, or legal advisors.

• UK Law – Coercive Control (Serious Crime Act 2015, Section 76)
• Domestic Abuse Act 2021
• Safeguarding (Statutory Guidance)
• Safeguarding policy (Care Act guidance)
• Mental Health Act 1983 (updated 2007)

Understanding coercive control is key to recognising and resisting it. This section contains informative articles, videos, podcasts, and training materials to help survivors, families, and professionals learn more about cults, high-control groups, grooming tactics, and psychological abuse. Empower yourself and others through knowledge.

LGBTQ+

• Galop – National LGBT+ Abuse & Violence Helpline (domestic/sexual abuse, hate crime, forced marriage, conversion therapy).
  📞 0800 999 5428 • ✉️ help@galop.org.uk
• Switchboard – National LGBTQIA+ Support Line (listening support via phone, chat, email).
  📞 0800 0119 100 • ✉️ hello@switchboard.lgbt
• akt (formerly Albert Kennedy Trust) – Supports LGBTQ+ young people (16–25) facing homelessness or unsafe home environments.
  📞 020 7831 6562 • ✉️ gethelp@akt.org.uk

Ethnic minority–led specialist services

• Spark & Co – Provides education, information and connection support for racialised people in the UK.
• Southall Black Sisters – Specialist support for Black and minoritised women (domestic abuse, immigration/NRPF, forced marriage).
  📞 020 8571 0800 • ✉️ info@southallblacksisters.co.uk
• IKWRO – Iranian & Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation (HBA, forced marriage, FGM; support for MENA/Afghan women).
  📞 020 7920 6460 • ✉️ info@ikwro.org.uk
• Muslim Women’s Network Helpline (MWN) – Faith and culturally-sensitive, multilingual support.
  📞 0800 999 5786 • ✉️ info@mwnhelpline.co.uk
• Halo Project – Specialist service for honour-based abuse, forced marriage, and FGM.
  📞 01642 683045 • ✉️ info@haloproject.org.uk

Arranged/Forced marriage & Honour-Based Abuse

• Forced Marriage Unit (FCDO/Home Office) – Advice in the UK and overseas, including repatriation and safety planning.
  📞 020 7008 0151 • ✉️ fmu@fcdo.gov.uk
• Karma Nirvana – Honour-based abuse and forced marriage helpline.
  📞 0800 5999 247

Older people

• Hourglass – UK 24/7 helpline for abuse of older people.
  📞 0808 808 8141 • ✉️ helpline@wearehourglass.org
• Age UK – Advice on benefits, housing, and safeguarding.
  📞 0800 678 1602
• Independent Age – Information and advocacy for over-65s and carers.
  📞 0800 319 6789

Modern slavery / trafficking

• Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline – 24/7 confidential advice and referrals.
  📞 08000 121 700
• The Salvation Army – Specialist accommodation and support via government contract.
  📞 0800 808 3733
• Medaille Trust – Safe houses and supported accommodation.
  📞 0800 06 999 16 • ✉️ enquiries@medaille-trust.org.uk
• Migrant Help – Support navigating the National Referral Mechanism (NRM).

Young adults

• The Mix – Support for under-25s.
  📞 0808 808 4994