Experiencing crime, abuse, exploitation, violence or trauma can leave people with questions, fear, confusion and feelings that are difficult to put into words.

You do not have to navigate what happened alone.

This page was created to help victims, survivors and people supporting them find information, understand possible next steps and connect with appropriate professional or local support.

Whether what happened occurred recently or many years ago, seeking support is always an option.

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If You Are in Immediate Danger

If you are in immediate danger, seriously injured, or require urgent medical or emergency assistance, contact your local emergency services immediately.

In the European Union, 112 is the free emergency number for police, ambulance and fire services. 

If you are outside the EU, contact the emergency number used in your country.

If possible, move to a safer place and seek help from someone you trust.

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FIND SUPPORT NEAR YOU

Support systems differ from one country to another.

The most appropriate organisation may depend on what happened, where you are located, your age and the type of support you need.

For this reason, we encourage you to look for a local victim-support organisation, qualified healthcare professional, psychologist, lawyer, specialised organisation or appropriate authority in your area.

Victim Support Europe

Victim Support Europe provides an interactive map that can help victims locate victim-support organisations in their country or nearby area. Its network includes organisations supporting victims of different types of crime. 

Victim Support Europe Find Help⁠

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INTERNATIONAL HELPLINE DIRECTORY

If you are unsure which service is available in your country, Find A Helpline provides access to verified helpline information across more than 175 countries. You can search by country and type of support. 

This can be a useful starting point if you do not know where to turn.

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SUPPORT FOR SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE

If you have experienced sexual violence, sexual assault or abuse, specialised support may be available.

RAINN — United States

RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in the United States, offering free, confidential, 24/7 support by phone, chat and text. RAINN can also connect survivors with local resources. 

National Sexual Assault Hotline

800.656.HOPE (4673)

Text: HOPE to 64673

Online: RAINN Online Hotline ⁠

If you are outside the United States, use a local service or an international directory such as Find A Helpline to identify appropriate support in your country.

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SUPPORT FOR CRIME VICTIMS IN EUROPE

Victim Support Europe provides information about victims’ rights and access to support services across Europe.

In countries where the 116 006 victim-support helpline is available, victims can receive information about their rights, emotional support and referrals to relevant organisations. Availability varies by country. 

116 006 — European Victim Support Helpline

Check whether this service is available in your country before calling.

Victim Support Europe — 116 006 information⁠

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IF YOU ARE IN PORTUGAL

If you are in Portugal, APAV — Associação Portuguesa de Apoio à Vítima provides support to victims of crime and their families. Victim Support Europe lists APAV as its Portuguese member organisation. 

APAV — Associação Portuguesa de Apoio à Vítima⁠

For emergencies, call 112. 

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WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT MIGHT YOU NEED?

You may not know exactly what kind of help you need — and that’s okay.

Depending on your situation, you may benefit from:

Psychological or Emotional Support

A qualified mental-health professional can help you process trauma, fear, anxiety or other emotional consequences.

Medical Support

A healthcare professional can assess injuries, health concerns and other medical needs, including those related to sexual violence.

Legal Support

A qualified lawyer or legal-aid organisation can explain your legal rights, options and procedures in your jurisdiction.

Victim Support Services

Victim-support organisations can help you understand available services, reporting options, practical needs and possible next steps.

Emergency or Police Assistance

If you are in immediate danger or a crime is currently taking place, contact the appropriate emergency or law-enforcement service.

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YOU DO NOT HAVE TO REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO ASK FOR HELP

Depending on your circumstances and jurisdiction, you may be able to speak with a support organisation or professional before deciding what you want to do next.

A qualified local service can explain your options and the procedures that apply where you live.

You deserve information that allows you to make informed decisions about your own situation.

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HOW FORENSIC SCARS CAN HELP

Forensic Scars is an educational and storytelling project focused on forensic science, criminal investigation, victim experiences and the human impact of crime.

We believe that stories deserve to be heard and that people affected by crime deserve access to appropriate information and support.

Our role is to provide educational information, resources, peer-support where applicable, and a space for stories and testimonies.

However, Forensic Scars does not replace:

* psychological or psychiatric care;
* medical treatment;
* emergency services;
* legal advice;
* police or investigative authorities;
* professional victim-support organisations.

If you need specialised assistance, we encourage you to contact an appropriately qualified professional or organisation in your area.

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SECURE TESTIMONY

If you are considering sharing your experience with Forensic Scars, please read our Secure Testimony information carefully before contacting us.

This service is designed to provide a structured space for testimony and storytelling.

It does not constitute a formal police statement, legal testimony, forensic evidence collection, psychological therapy or legal advice.

Before sharing sensitive information, we encourage you to understand how your information will be handled, what confidentiality means in this context and what the service can and cannot provide.

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VICTIM SUPPORT SESSION

Our Victim Support Session is intended to provide a supportive and informative space for people affected by crime or difficult experiences.

The session does not replace professional psychological, medical or legal assistance.

Where a situation requires specialised intervention, we may encourage you to seek appropriate professional support or contact a relevant organisation or authority.

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IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START

You don’t need to have everything figured out before asking for help.

You can start with something as simple as:

“Something happened to me, and I don’t know what to do next.”

A qualified support organisation can help you understand your options.

If you cannot find an appropriate service in your area, contact us and tell us your country or region and the type of support you are looking for.

Where possible, we can help you identify appropriate external resources or organisations to contact.

We cannot guarantee the availability, eligibility requirements or quality of any external service, so please confirm the information directly with the organisation concerned.

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YOUR STORY MATTERS

What happened to you does not have to define your entire story.

You deserve to be heard.

You deserve access to information.

You deserve to understand your options.

And you deserve support that is appropriate to your situation.

You do not have to face it alone.

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Important note

The information on this page is provided for general educational and informational purposes. It is not medical, psychological or legal advice and does not create a professional-client relationship.

External organisations and helplines operate independently of Forensic Scars. Availability, eligibility, confidentiality, opening hours and services may vary by country and organisation. Please verify current information directly with the relevant service.

If you are in immediate danger, contact your local emergency services.