First Light

29/05/2026

A huge thank you to BBC Spotlight for inviting First Light to share our concerns about self-test r**e kits, and why the responsibility to collect evidence should never be placed on someone who has experienced sexual assault.

Our CEO, Lyn Gooding, joined BBC Spotlight to highlight the risks associated with these unregulated kits. This coverage follows sustained campaigning by First Light and R**eCrisis England & Wales to ensure that victims and survivors receive accurate information about the support available to them, and fully understand the potential risks posed by home testing kits.

It is essential that anyone who has experienced sexual assault can access the right support, clear advice, and informed choices. This includes appropriate medical care and the safe, professional collection of forensic evidence in a clean clinical environment. Evidence collected in these settings can also be securely stored for at least two years, allowing individuals time and space to decide whether they wish to report to the police.

The safest and most effective route for anyone who has been r**ed or sexually assaulted remains their local Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC).

SARCs offer specialist forensic examinations, medical care, emotional support, and safeguarding, all delivered by trained professionals. Importantly, these services are available whether or not someone chooses to involve the police.

Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8e81lx16rko

We are grateful to the BBC for continuing to raise awareness of this important issue.

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28/05/2026

𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐰𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐞.

As the world comes together to kick off the World Cup, we’re asking you to stand with us and share a powerful, united message.

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟭𝘁𝗵 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲
𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘂𝘀 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗲.

Together, we can raise awareness, spark conversations, and show that abuse will not be ignored.

A huge thank you to everyone who has already joined the campaign, including: Devon & Cornwall Police, Trevi Women, Blaby District, Ahimsa, The WISH Centre, Plymouth Marjon University, The Integrated Domestic Abuse Service Plymouth, Man Culture, and Plymouth Community Homes along with all the organisations supporting and sharing the campaign internally.

𝙏𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙙, 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙙, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙙.

Get involved 👇
🔗 https://www.firstlight.org.uk/get_involved/blowthewhistle/

27/05/2026

Exciting New Vacancies at First Light!!!

Want to work in a supportive team and help to change the lives of people affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence?

First Light have a range of amazing opportunities waiting for you.

Take a moment to explore all our latest vacancies and find the perfect fit for you.

👉 Visit https://www.firstlight.org.uk/job-vacancies/ or click the link in our bio

22/05/2026

🔔 Bank Holiday Operating Hours – Monday 25th May 2026

Please note that some of our services will be closed during the Bank Holiday weekend.

📍 First Light Swindon & Wiltshire
✅ SARC Helpline remains open 24/7
📞 01793 781917
❌ ISVA Service & SARC Office will be closed

📍 First Light Gloucestershire
❌ ISVA Service will be closed

📍 First Light Plymouth & Devon
❌ Sexual Abuse & Violence Therapy Service will be closed
❌ Domestic Abuse Service (IDASP) will be closed

📍 First Light Cornwall & Isles of Scilly
❌ Domestic Abuse Service will be closed

📍 Safe Spaces England & Wales
❌ Church-related Abuse Service will be closed

🚨 Need urgent support?
These services are available 24/7:
📞 National R**e Crisis Helpline: 0808 802 9999
📞 National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
If you are in immediate danger, please call 999 (or 101 for non-emergencies).

✅ All services will reopen on Tuesday 26th May
💻 Find more support here:
https://www.firstlight.org.uk/support_services/

20/05/2026

Last Thursday, our Plymouth Sexual Violence Therapy Team attended the Plymouth Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Open Day.

It was a valuable opportunity to connect with around 50 other organisations and professionals, and to share information about the support available to adults across Plymouth.

The event created a welcoming space for people to drop in, ask questions, and explore services that may support their mental health and wellbeing in a way that felt right for them

Last Thursday, our Plymouth Sexual Violence Therapy Team attended the Plymouth Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Open Day.

It was a valuable opportunity to connect with around 50 other organisations and professionals, and to share information about the support available to adults across Plymouth.

The event created a welcoming space for people to drop in, ask questions, and explore services that may support their mental health and wellbeing in a way that felt right for them.

20/05/2026

Last Wednesday, our Health Domestic Abuse Navigators team attended the St Austell Health Group event, which brought together 100 attendees from across the provider network.

The session was tailored to the needs of the health setting and designed to offer practical guidance and support to professionals. It was encouraging to see such strong engagement throughout, with attendees asking thoughtful questions and contributing to meaningful discussion.

It was a valuable opportunity to support learning, deepen understanding, and help build confidence in responding in safe, informed, and supportive ways.

19/05/2026

Stay Informed, Get Involved!

Join our supportive community by signing up for our newsletter and learn about the important work we are doing to ensure every voice is heard, supported, and believed.

Our newsletter is your go-to source for:
• Campaigns: Stay updated on our latest initiatives.
• Training: Access valuable resources and training sessions to empower yourself and others.
• Webinars: Participate in insightful webinars led by experts in the field.
• Fundraising: Learn about our fundraising initiatives and how you can get involved.
• And More: Be the first to know about all our activities and events!

👉 Sign up now and together, we can create change.

Click the link to sign up or visit our Bio.
https://www.firstlight.org.uk/newsletter/

11/05/2026

Change happens when organisations stand together.

Blow the Whistle is a national campaign led by First Light, using one of sport’s most recognisable symbols to stand up for people’s safety and dignity. It harnesses the shared language and power of sport to challenge domestic abuse and sexual violence, encourage people to recognise abuse, and remind communities that support is always available.

You don’t need specialist knowledge to take part, just the willingness to notice, care and respond.

What does “blowing the whistle” mean?
📣 Noticing when something doesn’t feel right
📣 Calling out abuse safely and responsibly
📣 Checking in and showing care
📣 Signposting support instead of staying silent

As the World Cup approaches, visibility matters.
This campaign is growing, with more organisations joining all the time.

Thank you to the partners already involved: Devon & Cornwall Police, Ahimsa, The Integrated Domestic Abuse Service Plymouth, Plymouth Marjon University, The WISH Centre, Plymouth Community Homes and Man Culture for standing with us and supporting this campaign.

Together, we’re using the power of sport to challenge abuse and remind communities that no one faces it alone.

Want to join them?
👉 Get involved or find out more:
https://www.firstlight.org.uk/news_and_stories/blow-the-whistle-a-national-campaign-to-challenge-abuse-through-sport

Together, we send a clear message: abuse is not ignored, no one faces it alone, and support is always available.

🔁 Share this post
🏷️ Tag organisations
✊Let’s stand together and

07/05/2026

Abuse from Online Dating: The Invisible Issue

Online dating has become part of everyday life, but for many people, it can also be a gateway to abuse that is hidden, minimised, or misunderstood.

Our research, Abuse from Online Dating: The Invisible Issue, shows that abuse linked to dating apps is common, normalised, and under reported. Many participants were unsure whether what they experienced counted as abuse, or where they could go for help.

This work forms part of First Light’s wider focus on Digital Non Contact Abuse, abuse that happens in online and digital spaces, even when there is no physical contact.

🔗 Read the full report here: https://www.firstlight.org.uk/go/abuse-from-online-dating

We thank everyone who shared their experiences and expertise. Your voices have helped make visible an issue that is too often overlooked, and this research will inform future policy, commissioning, and service responses.

This research was funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire, recognising the urgent need to address harm in digital spaces.