Sentencing Act 2026 - Accessing Support

If you have been affected by these changes or are worried about the release of offenders, local services are available to support you. Find out how to access support below.

Victim Support’s dedicated Offender Release Helpline provides information, emotional and practical support, and help to access other services for people affected by, or worried about, the release of an offender.

The Helpline is there to:

  • Listen to victims and survivors’ concerns and offer emotional support
  • Discuss wellbeing, safety and possible next steps
  • Provide practical guidance and help callers understand what the changes may mean
  • Explain how someone may be able to seek further information, the Helpline cannot provide information about individual offenders or case specific release dates.
  • Help people access ongoing or specialist support where appropriate

You can contact the Helpline on 0808 168 9280.

Further information about the Helpline and the support available can be found at https://victimsupport.org.uk/offender-release-helpline.

Helpline

Sentencing Act 2026 - Specialist Support available in South Wales

With support from funding by the Ministry of Justice, the South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner has commissioned a single point of contact locally across South Wales, in the form of a Multi-Crime Early Release Scheme (ERS) Victims’ Champion.

Our specialist Victims’ Champion will work alongside victim and survivors affected by changes early release scheme, helping them to feel safe, informed and supported.

The Multi-Crime Early Release Victims Champion will provide:

  • Advocacy and liaison with police, probation, courts and other agencies to help gather information and ensure your voice is heard.
  • Individual needs assessments to identify support requirements and develop appropriate safety and support plans.
  • Practical support and signposting, including assistance with housing issues, education concerns, and protective orders.
  • Coordination with support services and partner agencies to ensure you receive joined-up support and access to the help available locally.

To access support from the Multi-Crime Early Release Champion, you can contact South Wales Victim Focus on 0300 303 0161.

Alternatively, you can self-refer via the website Victim/Witness Referral – South Wales Victim Focus

Support

Victims Directory

This page provides information and support for victims and witnesses following a crime.

Victims Directory

18-25 early Intervention Service

South Wales

Supporting young adults involved in the criminal justice system to live positive, healthy, crime free lives. The service will support and listen to young adults to review choices and consequences. One Wales welcomes voluntary referrals into the service from police and will also consider referrals from other agencies e.g. third sector, local authority services.

AAFDA

Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA) provides support to families bereaved as a result of fatal domestic abuse or suicide where domestic abuse has been a factor. They provide specialist guidance, expert advocacy, and peer-support throughout the Domestic Homicide Review (DHR) process to support mental health and emotional wellbeing. As part of this process families learn to cope and live with the trauma they have experienced.

Adferiad

Colwyn Bay/United Kingdom

Adferiad is a member-led charity that provides help and support for people with mental health, addiction, and co-occurring and complex needs, to maximise their personal potential, and achieve a better quality of life

Barnardo’s

Barnardo's works with children, young people, families and communities across Wales, helping them to build a better future.

BAWSO

Cardiff/Wales

Specialist services for black and minoritised victims of abuse, violence, and exploitation in Wales. BAWSO support people from Black and Ethnic Minority backgrounds who are affected by domestic abuse and other forms of abuse, including Female Genital Mutilation, Forced Marriage, Human Trafficking & Prostitution.

Calan DVS

Wales

Domestic abuse charity servicing Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend. Calan's service model ranges from core domestic violence services for female victims including refuge, support in the community and crisis drop in services, support for children and young people exposed to domestic violence and abuse (DVA).

CALL Helpline

Wales

Community Advice & Listening Line offers emotional support and information/literature on mental health and related matters to the people of Wales.

Anyone concerned about their own mental health or that of a relative or friend can access the service. C.A.L.L. Helpline offers a confidential listening and support service.

Cardiff Third Sector Council

Cardiff/United Kingdom

Cardiff Third Sector Council exists to support and develop Cardiff’s third sector. Working with the Welsh Government and WCVA, we are committed to increasing the knowledge and skills of the sector to ensure that groups and organisations in Cardiff can make themselves sustainable and meet the needs of their communities.

Cardiff Women’s Aid

Cardiff

Cardiff Women’s Aid provides needs-based support and a place of safety for all women and children experiencing and at-risk of gender-based violence. We work alongside survivors to create change, raising awareness of the causes and consequences of violence against women and girls. We work in partnership with others to prevent gender-based violence and promote equality.

CAVDAS (Cardiff and Vale Drug and Alcohol Service)

Cardiff & Vale of Glamorgan/Wales

CAVDAS accepts referrals from people in Cardiff and the Vale affected by drugs and alcohol.

Cwm Taf and RCT Sexual Violence and Trauma Recovery Centre (SARC) (New Pathways)

Merthyr Tydfil/Wales

Sexual assault referral centre (SARC) where a range of specially trained, experienced professionals provide help, support and advice to men, women, children and young people, following sexual assault in Cwm Taf and RCT

DAN 24/7

Wales

The Wales Drug & Alcohol Helpline, also known as DAN 24/7 is hosted by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board with funding provided by the Welsh Government.

DAN 24/7 is a free and bilingual telephone helpline providing a single point of contact for anyone in Wales wanting further information and / or help relating to drugs and / or alcohol.

The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The helpline will assist individuals, their families, carers, and support workers within the drug and alcohol field to access appropriate local and regional services.

Warning

Please note these organisations are distinct from emergency services, they provide specialised assistance and resources for various needs, offering additional avenues of support beyond immediate response.

In emergencies, call 999.

For non-emergencies, dial 101.

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