More Support for women, men, LGBT+ community, Ethnic Minority, Students and non UK citizens affected by domestic abuse…
9th April 2020More support if you’re a woman
The Scottish Women’s Rights Centre can help you with free legal advice, for example about court orders to protect your from abuse and reporting the abuser to the police.
They have face-to-face legal clinics in local areas and a helpline which covers legal advice, sexual harassment and advocacy support.
Scottish Women’s Rights Centre
Helpline: 0808 801 0789
Website: Helpline contact times for legal information, advocacy support and sexual harassment
Website: www.scottishwomensrightscentre.org.uk
Scottish Women’s Aid run Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline. They also have local support groups around the country and operate refuges.
Scottish Women’s Aid
2nd Floor
132 Rose Street
Edinburgh
EH2 3JD
Tel: 0131 226 6606
Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline: 0800 027 1234 (24 hours)
Email: info@womensaid.scot
Website: www.womansaid.scot
More support if you’re a man
Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline is for men too. When you phone you’ll be put through to the Men’s Advice Line. You could also phone them directly.
Men’s Advice Line (MALE)
Helpline: 0808 801 0327
Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm
Email: info@mensadviceline.org.uk
Website: www.mensadviceline.org.uk
There are other organisations that provide support to men, including Abused Men in Scotland, Fearless and Survivors UK.
Fearless
Tel: 0131 624 7266 – this is not a support line and calls may go to answer machine
Email referral: fearlessinfo@sacro.org.uk
Website: https://fearless.scot/
Online referral form available at: https://fearless.scot/make-a-referral/
Abused Men in Scotland (AMIS)
Confidential helpline: 0808 800 0024 (7pm-10pm every evening)
Tel: 0131 447 7449
Email for men looking for support: contact@amis.org.uk
Email: info@amis.org.uk
Website: www.abusedmeninscotland.org
Survivors UK
11 Sovereign Close
London
E1W 3HW
Text-based helpline: 020 3322 1860 (Monday to Friday from 10.30am to 9pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm)
WhatsApp-based helpline: 07491 816064
Office tel: 020 3598 3898 (Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5pm)
Email: info@survivorsuk.org
Website: www.survivorsuk.org
More support if you’re LGBT+
Fearless is a Scottish support service for men, including trans men, and anyone from the LGBT+ community affected by domestic abuse. The service is available in many, but not all areas of Scotland. To refer yourself or someone else to the service use the online form or email.
Fearless
Tel: 0131 624 7266 – this is not a support line and calls may go to answer machine
Email referral: fearlessinfo@sacro.org.uk
Website: https://fearless.scot/
Online referral form available at: https://fearless.scot/make-a-referral/
Galop National LGBT Domestic Violence Helpline
Tel: 0300 999 5428 or Freephone 0800 999 5428 (Monday and Thursday 10.00am to 8.00pm; Friday 1.00pm to 5.00pm; Tuesday and Wednesday 10.00am to 5.00pm with Tuesday 1.00pm to 5.00pm being a Trans specific service).
Admin: 08452 605 560
Email: help@galop.org.uk
Website: www.galop.org.uk
More support if you’re from an ethnic minority
There’s specialist advice for Asian, black and minority ethnic women and children:
Hemat Gryffe Women’s Aid
Tel: 0141 353 0859
Website: www.hematgryffe.org.uk
Shakti Women’s Aid
Tel: 0131 475 2399
Website: www.shaktiedinburgh.co.uk
More help if you’re a student
You don’t have to be living with your abuser for it to be domestic abuse. You might be living in university halls of residence, for example.
You should phone Scotland’s Domestic Abuse Helpline – it’s for anyone over 16.
Check if your university or college has a student advice service, crisis team or a helpline for abuse. If they don’t, talk to a lecturer or someone who provides you with pastoral support.
They should be able to help you with issues like:
- breaks from studying and deadlines
- university housing
- university investigations against the abuser
Remember there’s action you can take if your intimate photos or videos are shared over social media.
More help if you’re not a UK citizen
You’ll get help even if you’re not a UK citizen. You should phone Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline – they have translation services if English isn’t your first language.
Once you’re safe you will need immigration advice and legal help.
Read more about staying in the UK on a visa after a separation or divorce.
Get immigration advice
The Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline might help you access immigration advice. Alternatively contact on our freephone number 0300 303 4321 or email us by filling in our online enquiry form or a specialist organisation like:
Ethnic Minorities Law Centre (Scotland)
41 St Vincent Place, 2nd Floor
Glasgow
G1 2ER
Members of the public can call the Advice line during the following times:
Glasgow Office: 0141 204 2888 Monday to Friday 9:30am – 10:30am
Scottish Women’s Rights Centre
Helpline: 0808 801 0789
Website: Helpline contact times for legal information, advocacy support and sexual harassment
Website: www.scottishwomensrightscentre.org.uk