National Support Line for Victims of Sexual Violence
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST are invited. The Ministry of Justice plan to commission a national support line to support victims of sexual violence in England and Wales, to commence on 1 April 2026. The aim of the support line will be to provide specialist, emotional support for people who have experienced sexual abuse. This support will be available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
- Opening date: (Midday)
- Closing date: (Midday)
Contents
Summary
The Ministry of Justice are planning to commission a national support line to support victims of sexual violence in England and Wales, which will commence on 1 April 2026. This will follow the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line grant, which will expire on 31 March 2026. The aim of the support line will be to provide specialist, emotional support for people who have experienced sexual abuse. This support will be available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
The grant will be awarded through an open competition, in accordance with grant standards. The competition is expected to launch in summer 2025.
The grant value is yet to be confirmed but is expected to be in the region of the current 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line grant, which is £2.7m per annum. The legal basis for this grant is Section 56 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004.
To support the design and development of the grant competition we are seeking Expressions of Interest from eligible organisations and have attached a short questionnaire which we would request you complete and return to: tabitha.falcus@justice.gov.uk
Eligibility
Public sector and non-profit organisations may apply for the grant when launched. Consortia bids (including private sector members) are also eligible as long as the overall grant recipient is a public sector or non-profit organisation.
Objectives
Provide 24/7, trauma-informed support to victims of sexual violence and abuse, regardless of whether they wish to report the crime to the police.
Support victims of sexual violence and abuse in England and Wales to cope and, as far as possible, recover from the effects of sexual violence and abuse.
Dates
This is an Expression of Interest only at this stage. We will invite all respondents to Market Engagement events closer to the grant competition launch date (Summer 2025).
How to apply
This is an Expression of Interest only to inform the future design and development of the grant scheme.Please complete the attached questionnaire and return it to: tabitha.falcus@justice.gov.uk
NATIONAL SEXUAL VIOLENCE SUPPORT LINE
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST / EARLY ENGAGEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE
Please provide:
· name of organisation
· your name
· your role/job title
· your contact details including your email address.
What is your organisation’s level of interest and ambition in terms of applying for the grant to deliver the National Sexual Violence Support Line from April 2026? Please rank between 1 and 5 (where 1 is not interested and 5 is where the delivery of the Support Line is of significant interest to your organisation).
1
2
3
4
5
Please summarise what interests you about delivering the National Sexual Violence Helpline. Please refrain from including comments regarding any proposed models or responses to providing the service.
Are there are any barriers that would prevent you from applying for a grant to deliver the National Sexual Violence Support Line? If yes, what are these barriers? (for example, grant value, model).
What would be the minimum grant funding period/duration that your organisation would find attractive and/or appropriate for the delivery of the National Sexual Violence Support Line?
Would you be interested in applying to deliver this service as part of a consortium arrangement, or contributing specialist expertise to support delivery? Are there any barriers that would prevent you from applying as part of a consortium?