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.
HelplineSentencing 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
SupportVictims Directory
This page provides information and support for victims and witnesses following a crime.
Victims DirectorySouth Wales Victim Focus
Cardiff/Waleslocal service run by the national and independent charity, Victim Support. We provide help and support to anyone in South Wales affected by crime
Stop Hate UK
Stop Hate UK is a leading anti-hate and anti-discrimination organisation for corporate, statutory, and community sectors. Today, we operate the UK’s only free dedicated 24-hour anti-Hate Crime reporting service for all monitored strands of a person’s identity or perceived identity (Disability, Race, Faith/Religion/Belief, Sexual Orientation, and Transgender identity, as well as Alternative Subculture and Gender/Misogyny.
Support Line
Provides a confidential helpline offering emotional support
Survivor UK
A free and confidential telephone helpline for men and boys who are dealing with the effects of sexual violence
Survivor’s UK
The National Male Survivor Helpline is a confidential helpline for male victims of sexual violence and abuse. They also provide emotional support via telephone, SMS (text), live chat and email.
Survivors Trust
Umbrella agency for specialist rape and sexual abuse services in the UK
Swansea and Neath Port Talbot Sexual Violence and Trauma Recovery Centre (SARC) (New Pathways)
Swansea/WalesSexual 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 Swansea & Neath Port Talbot
Swansea Women’s Aid
Swansea/WalesWomen-only organisation which supports women, with or without children, who are affected by domestic abuse
The Womens Whole System Approach
South WalesSupporting and improving the lives of vunerable women to reduce offending and re offendiing by offering targeted support more effectively and avoiding gaps in service provisison to enable women to access the support they need to live positive, healthy, crime free lives. Future 4 welcome voluntary referals into the service from police, probation and will also consider referals from other agencies (e.g third sector, local authority services).
Thrive Domestic Abuse Services
Port Talbot/WalesDomestic abuse charity servicing Neath Port Talbot
Vale Domestic Abuse Services
Vale of Glamorgan/WalesHelp for victims in the Vale of Glamorgan. The services Vale Domestic Abuse Services provides are led by the needs of the people they work to support. They are strengths based, trauma informed and always provided confidentially, placing the survivors’ voice at the heart of all that they do.
Verve
Swansea and Neath Port TalbotVERVE is the new name of drug and alcohol services in Swansea, Neath, and Port Talbot.
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.