Secret Life

The following script contains details of organisations offering information and support to anyone whose life has been affected by child abuse.

Recent speculation in the press on the outcome of the government's child sex offender review, expected to be published in May 2007. A UK version Megan's Law is thought to be not appropriate. At the moment, employers can request a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check if a potential employee is going to work with children, while private citizens cannot.

It's been proposed that in three pilot schemes parents and guardians will also be able to request information on specific individuals who may have unsupervised access to their children, such as new partners joining a single parent household.

The phone lines to some of the following organisations are very busy, but please keep trying. Please note that some free numbers may be charged for by a few mobile phone networks.

NAPAC - The National Association for People Abused in Childhood provides support no matter how long ago the incident took place, pointing people in the right direction to take control of their own recovery. Call the helpline 0800 085 3330 (free & confidential, open from 10am - 9pm on Friday 20 April and after that, Mondays - Fridays 10.30am - 3pm & 6 - 8pm). More information and a list of regional support services on www.napac.org.uk.

If you're feeling distressed and need someone to talk to, Samaritans are there for you at any time of day or night on 08457 90 90 90, or text to 07725 90 90 90 or you can e mail to jo@samaritans.org.

Stop It Now! advises anyone who has abused, or thought about abusing a child. They also support the family and friends of abusers. They encourage abusers to recognise their behaviour problems and seek help to change. Call helpline 0808 1000 900 (free & confidential on Mondays - Thursdays 9am to 9pm, and Fridays 9am to 7pm). On Thursday 19 April helpline is open till midnight. Or check out www.stopitnow.org.uk.

If you're a young person whose been approached or abused ChildLine is free and confidential for anyone up to the age of 18. Call 0800 11 11 (free and open 24 hours a day, every day). If you have difficulty in hearing or in using a regular phone try the textphone service on 0800 400 222. ChildLine phone lines can be very busy but do keep trying and you will get through. More information on website www.childline.org.uk.

If you're concerned about the safety of a child the NSPCC Child Protection Helpline 0808 800 5000 (free & confidential, open 24 hours a day, every day). A textphone service is in place for people who are hard of hearing on 0800 056 0566 (free). There's also an email helpline, send messages to help@nspcc.org.uk.

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre provides internet safety advice for parents and carers and delivers a virtual police station for reporting abuse on the internet. Their website is www.ceop.gov.uk.

Survivors UK support men who have been raped or sexually abused however long ago it took place and men trying to cope with the abuse of someone close to them, the Survivors UK helpline 0845 1221 201 (local rate, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings 7 - 10pm). You can also email info@survivorsuk.org or visit the website www.survivorsuk.org.

Voice UK provides telephone support for adults and children with learning disabilities who have been abused, and for their families and carers. Call 0845 122 8695 (local rate, Mondays - Fridays 9am - 5pm. Or look at the website www.voiceuk.org.uk.

Saneline provide crisis care and emotional support to anyone affected by any mental health problem. Trained mental health staff are available to take calls on 0845 767 8000 (local rate 1 - 11pm every day of the year). Or you can check out the website www.sane.org.uk.

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