Calls are answered on a Thursday from 7:30pm – 9:30 pm.  At all other times you will reach a 24-hour answer machine which is monitored several times per day.  You can leave your details if you wish to be called back and we will return your call as soon as we can. Please only leave a number if it is safe to do so. Please note that when we call you our number will come up on your phone as withheld.  Alternatively you can email us at : helpline@hertsrapecrisis.org.uk

If we are unable to get hold of you when we call we will try a couple of times and may leave a coded message.  If we continue to be unable to contact you, then your details will be deleted and you will have to call back.

If we call you back and somebody else answers we will not tell them who we are. For reasons of confidentiality our telephone number is withheld and if we do not speak to you when we return the call we will leave the name, Sally Barker.

When you speak to us it will be to one of our specially trained women volunteers who are there to listen and support you to talk about whatever is on your mind.

We are here to listen to you and we will always believe you.  We will never judge or doubt you.

We know it can be very difficult to take that first step and call; we respect this and will never push you to talk about anything you do not want to.

We are here to help you explore your thoughts, feelings and what options you might have.  We can give you information about those options, but we will never tell you what you should do.  We will support you to decide for yourself, what is right for you as an individual.

Can I call the helpline regularly?

Our helpline is there to support you when you need it.  If you find it helpful to call on a regular basis, the volunteer counsellor on call will be able to speak to you but we will ask you to restrict your calls to half an hour to allow other women to contact us if they want to.

If you are an existing client, please use the helpline to contact your volunteer counsellors between sessions if you need to discuss an issue or concern that has arisen from your counselling or if you need to change or cancel an appointment.

You can also call Rape Crisis England and Wales on 0808 802 9999.  They are open every day of the year 12 – 2.30pm and 7 – 9.30pm. Visit: https://rapecrisis.org.uk

Or  The Samaritans on 116 123 – calls are FREE or visit:   https://www.samaritans.org/