COVID-19 and support
Here you will find blogs and information on support available during the pandemic, updates about our services, changes to the justice system and more.
Mobile phone hacking explained and what to do if it happens to you
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by Nikki Webb from The Cyber Helpline
Nowadays, perpetrators who stalk offline are using technology to assist their behaviours —for example, mobile phones, social media, computers, and geolocation tracking. This has been particularly true during the pandemic, when we’ve had to rely much more on mobile devices and technology, and stalkers have continued their behaviours using those same tools.
Tracking messages is just one way a stalker can use a device to monitor, intimidate, and control their victim.
What will happen with my court case during the COVID-19 pandemic?
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During the pandemic, the Scottish courts and tribunals have made changes to adapt to coronavirus guidelines and to keep their staff and the public safe. This means that how the courts and tribunals operate has temporarily changed.
In this blog we describe what to expect if your case was already in court before the pandemic or if you are considering taking your case to Court now.
Changes are happening all the time as the Courts issue new processes and guidance. We will add any updates here.
Last updated: 30 April 2021
Abuse at university / college during COVID-19: support for students
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With current COVID-19 measures, student life has drastically changed: most classes and social activities are taking place online and students are spending more time indoors and around the same people. Despite this, students can still experience abuse and violence, whether it is on or off campus, online or in person.
At this time it can feel more challenging than ever to know what to do or where to go after an experience of abuse, but we want to reassure you that support is out there.
In this blog we look at some ways you might experience abuse at university or college during the pandemic, we discuss some legal options (including reporting the incident), and provide information about where to get support.
‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ and migrant women living with abuse
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In the UK, some migrants are subject to a condition called No Recourse to Public Funds or NRPF, which can have far reaching consequences for migrant women, particularly those living with abuse or violence.
In this blog we discuss what NRPF is and who is affected, what constitutes ‘public funds,’ and its effect on women leaving an abusive situation. We also explain some options available and share links to support.
Making a safety plan when you are in an abusive situation
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When you are experiencing any form of abuse —whether it’s stalking, sexual violence, online abuse, domestic abuse, among others— a safety plan can help you improve your safety.
In this blog we introduce you to the basics of safety planning, we describe how it can help, we give some examples of things to consider when creating a safety plan and explain where to get specialist support to make one or to get more information about safety planning.
