https://www.clao.org.uk/if-we-cant-help/information-on-other-organisations-or-agencies-that-may-be-able-to-help/domestic-abuse-and-gender-based-violence/
https://www.clao.org.uk/if-we-cant-help/information-on-other-organisations-or-agencies-that-may-be-able-to-help/domestic-abuse-and-gender-based-violence/
The Scottish Women’s Rights Centre have a legal advice/information helpline for women affected by violence and abuse.
Their website www.scottishwomensrightscentre.org.uk/ provides information about the support they offer, including a “find a solicitor” function for solicitors specialising in this area of law.
Tel: 08088 010 789.
Victim Support Scotland provide emotional support to victims/survivors of crime and can also provide support in areas such as navigating the criminal justice systems as victim/witnesses and appearing in court to give evidence, and provide assistance around safety and security to anyone in Scotland.
The best way to contact their service is to go via their national helpline below, or, contact the organisation via their website (details below) where they will be able to refer you to your local/nearest support service
Website: www.victimsupport.org.uk/help-and-support/get-help/supportline/
National helpline: 0800 160 1985
Abused Men in Scotland Service is for men over 16 suffering domestic abuse.
Website: abusedmeninscotland.org/
Tel: 0808 800 0024
Email: support@amis.org.uk
Men’s Advice Line offers non-judgmental emotional support, practical advice and information for men experiencing domestic abuse. Support available throughout the UK.
Tel: 0808 801 0327
Email: info@mensadviceline.org.uk
Website: www.mensadviceline.org.uk
The Respect phoneline is a confidential helpline, email and webchat service for perpetrators of domestic violence looking for help to stop. Available throughout the UK.
Tel: 0808 802 4040
Website: www.respectphoneline.org.uk
Supports men who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse.
Tel: 0330 949 395
Website: www.abusedmeninscotland.org
The helpline can support anyone experiencing domestic abuse or forced marriage, as well as their family members, friends, colleagues and professionals who support them. They provide a confidential, sensitive service to anyone who calls them.
Tel: 0800 027 1234 – support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Website: www.sdafmh.org.uk/en/
If you are a women fleeing domestic abuse, you may want to access specialist refuge accommodation. The helpline can help you find a refuge vacancy for you and your children.
Helpline: 0800 2000 247 operating 24 hours a day
Website: www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
Galop provide a helpline and support services for LGBT+ people who are victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime, so-called conversion therapies, honour-based abuse, forced marriage, and other forms of abuse.
Helpline: 0800 999 5428 open Monday to Friday 10am – 5pm; Wednesday and Thursday 10am – 8:00pm.
Email: help@galop.org.uk
Webchat: galop.org.uk/ – available Wednesday and Thursday 5pm – 8pm
Citizens Advice Scotland form Scotland’s largest independent advice network. Some bureaux have in-court advisors and lay representatives – find your local Citizens Advice Bureau at www.cas.org.uk/bureaux.
The Citizens Advice Bureau is an accredited agency for referrals to the Free Legal Services Unit of the Faculty of Advocates (see below).
The Free Legal Services Unit (FLSU) was established to provide free legal advice and representation by volunteer advocates for those who cannot afford the legal help they need, and who cannot obtain assistance from any other source. If you are interested in accessing help from the FLSU you will need to consult an accredited agency and meet certain criteria.
Free Legal Services Units which can be accessed through accredited agencies. Current accredited advice agencies can be found at www.advocates.org.uk/instructing-advocates/free-legal-services-unit
Women’s Aid provides free, confidential specialist service to women, children and young people in Edinburgh and the Lothian’s who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse.
Tel: 0131 315 8111 Website: www.edinwomensaid.co.uk Email: info@edinwoemnsaid.co.uk
Tel: 01506 413 721 Website: www.wlwa.org.uk Email: info@wlwa.org.uk
Tel: 0131 663 9827 Website: www.womensaideml.org Email: info@emwa.org.uk
Shakti Women’s Aid helps women who are experiencing domestic abuse. They offer support and information to all black minority ethnic women (over 16 years) and their children experiencing and/or fleeing domestic abuse.
Website: www.shaktiedinburgh.co.uk
Tel: 0131 475 2399
Email: info@shaktiedinburgh.co.uk
Edinburgh Rape Crisis offers free emotional and practical support, information and advocacy to women, girls aged 12 and over and all members of the transgender community who have experienced sexual violence at any time in their lives. Support including: a helpline, face to face support, long-term, group, advocacy and crisis.
Website: www.ercc.scot
Tel: 0131 557 6737
Email: info@ercc.scot
DASAT provides a specialised service to adults and children in West Lothian who are experiencing, or have experienced domestic abuse, gender-based violence and provides support to victims of sexual violence.
Tel: 01506 281 055
Email: dasat@westlothian.gov.uk
FearFree is a support service for people experiencing domestic abuse in Scotland who identify as a man for from the LGBTI+ community. FearFree can provide support in the following areas of Scotland: Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Midlothian, and West Lothian.
Website: www.fearfree.scot
Tel: 0131 624 7270
Address: 29a Albany Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3QN
Feniks provides mental health and wellbeing support to Central and East European Community members, particularly Polish. Feniks has a dedicated mental health and practical support service for migrant women affected by domestic abuse.
Website: www.feniks.org.uk
Tel: 07510 122 425 or 0131 629 1881
Email: info@feniks.org.uk
Provides one-to-one mental health and wellbeing support to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) women in a range of languages who are affected by domestic abuse and honour-based abuse.
Website: www.aditi.sacro.org.uk
Tel: 0131 603 4865
ASSIST is a specialist domestic abuse advocacy and support service focussed on reducing risk to and improving the safety of victims of domestic abuse. Its aim is to ensure that all victims of domestic abuse – women, children and men – are safe, informed and supported throughout their involvement with the criminal justice system.
You can get support from ASSIST if you are a male victim of an incident of domestic abuse following which the police have been called, where your partner or ex-partner has been charged and the case goes through court. They can help if you live in or the incident happened in Edinburgh.
Website: www.glasgow.gov.uk/article23782/ASSIST and/or www.assistscotland.org.uk
Telephone: 0141 276 7710
Email: ASSIST@glasgow.gov.uk
The Free Legal Advice Centre delivers pro bono legal services to members of the public living in and around the Edinburgh area who, for whatever reason, cannot access legal advice elsewhere. Student advisers, members of staff and qualified solicitors work together to offer advice on legal problems.
FLAC can provide advice and assistance on the following: company and commerical, contract, disputes, employment, family, property, intellectual property, landlord and tenant, willis and inheritance and personal injury.
Telephone: 0800 073 0150
Email: freelegaladvice@ed.ac.uk
Website: www.law.ed.ac.uk/about-us/free-legal-advice-centre
Edinburgh Napier Law Clinic is an entirely student-run organisation providing free legal advice to the public. Established in 2015, the Clinic currently offers legal advice in employment, private housing and consumer matters.
The clinic are unable to represent clients in court, but is an advice agency accredited by the Faculty of Advocates Free Legal Services Unit. Where appropriate, they can refer a case to the Faculty for representation.
Telephone: 0131 455 2689
Email: lawclinic@napier.ac.uk
Website: www.enlc.co.uk
The Violence Against Women’s Project can provide advice including practical advice, one-to-one support, advocacy and also assistance with safety planning to women of all ages who have experienced or are currently experiencing violence and abuse in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
Website: www.encompassnetwork.info/aberdeen-cyrenians
Address: 62 Summer Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1SD
Tel: 01244 625 732
The project is for women, men and families who are experiencing domestic abuse in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
Website: www.weareac.org/care-services
Email: hello@weareac.org
Tel: 0300 303 0903
Grampian Women’s Aid provide free, confidential specialist service to women, children and young people in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire who have experienced domestic abuse.
Website: www.grampian-womens-aid.com/
Tel: 01224 593381
Email: info@grampian-womensaid.com
FearFree is a support service for people experiencing domestic abuse in Scotland who identify as a man for from the LGBTI+ community. FearFree can provide support in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire areas but services may be limited.
Website: www.fearfree.scot
Tel: 0131 624 7270
Address: 29a Albany Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3QN
The Domestic Abuse Team is a voluntary service which provides short to medium term support and advice to victims of domestic abuse to help them address the effects the behaviour of their partner/ex-partner has had on them. They can support individuals with safety planning in order to reduce risk as well as practical and emotional support.
Tel: 01224 538 000 – Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm
Email: domesticabuseteam@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Rape Crisis provides support to people in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire over the age of 13 years, who have been subjected to sexual violence at any time in their lives.
Website: www.rapecrisisgrampian.co.uk
Email: info@rapecrisisgrampian.co.uk
Tel: 01224 590 932 9am to 4pm Mon, Wed, Fri and 9am – 8pm Tues & Thurs
Address: 112 Crown Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6HJ
Law Clinics can provide free legal advice, assistance and representation to members of the public. Contact your local clinic if you feel you have a problem they could help you with. The law clinics operating in Aberdeen at present are:
Website: abdnlawproject.com
Tel: 01224 272 434
Email: general@abdlawproject.com
Website: www.rgu.ac.uk/life-at-rgu/learning-facilities/law-facilities/the-law-clinic
Tel: 01224 262 394
Email: thelawclinic@rgu.ac.uk
Please note that law clinics do not advise in all areas of law, with normal exclusions being family law and criminal law. Please also note that the relevant law clinic may not be able to assist you, particularly if you earn over a certain threshold amount or if there is a more appropriate alternative provider who can assist you, which would normally be the case if you are eligible for legal aid.
Women’s Aid provides free, confidential specialist service to women, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse.
Tel: 01463 220 719, Website: www.invernesswa.org Email: info@invernesswa.org
Tel: 0345 408 0151, Website: www.caswa.org.uk Email: info@caswa.org.uk
Tel: 01397 705 73, Website: www.lohaberwomensaid.org Email: lwa@lochabeerwomensaid.org
Tel: 01349 863 568
Tel: 01478 613 365
Website: www.rosswa.co.uk
Email: info@rosswa.co.uk
RASAH provide free, confidential, person centred emotional and practical support, information and advocacy for survivors of sexual violence and abuse aged 13+, their non-abusing partners, family and friends.
Tel: 03330 066 909 Mon, Wed & Fri 9.30am – 1pm; Tues and Thurs 1.00pm to 4.30pm
Website: www.rasash.org.uk
Email: support@rasah.org.uk
Argyll & Bute Women’s Aid provide free and confidential support to women and children who have been affected by domestic abuse.
Website: www.argyll&butewomensaid.org.uk
Telephone: 01369 706 636
Email: info@abwa.org.uk
Rape Crisis provides specialist support and advocacy services to all survivors of all forms of sexual violence, including, but not limited to, rape, sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse whether recent or historic. Support is free, confidential and available to all survivors regardless of gender identity so long as they are aged 12 years or over.
Website: www.ab-rc.org.uk rap
Email: support@ab-rc.org.uk
Tel: 0800 121 4685 Open Mon – Fri 9am – 4 pm
Address: 215 Argyll Street, Dunoon, PA23 7QT, Tel: 01369 700 800
ASSIST is a specialist domestic abuse advocacy and support service focussed on reducing risk to and improving the safety of victims of domestic abuse. Its aim is to ensure that all victims of domestic abuse – women, children and men – are safe, informed and supported throughout their involvement with the criminal justice system.
You can get support from ASSIST if you are the victim (female or male) of an incident of domestic abuse following which the police have been called, where your partner or ex-partner has been charged and the case goes through court. They can help in you live in East, Dumbartonshire, West Dumbartonshire or Argyll & Bute.
Website: www.glasgow.gov.uk/article23782/ASSIST and/or www.assistscotland.org.uk
Telephone: 0141 276 7710
Email: ASSIST@glasgow.gov.uk
Bright Sky is a free, safe, easy to use app and website launched in 2018 to help anyone affected by domestic abuse to access safe expert support. It can also support anyone who has concerns about a colleague, friend or family member.
Website: www.hestia.org/bightsky