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We’re extending our Legal Helpline opening times

Starting this Monday 20th May, our Helpline hours have changed to include an additional day and adjusted opening times.

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Since we launched the Helpline four years ago, we have seen a steady demand. Last year, around 400 women received information through our helpline.

Thanks to our recent expansion, we’re excited to announce the extension of this service to offer a Monday afternoon helpline and modified opening times to cover three mornings/afternoons and one evening a week.

Introducing Hanan and Rachel – SWRC’s caseworkers

We are excited to welcome Hanan El-Atrash and Rachel Hill, the two new Caseworkers who recently joined our team!

Illustration of hand with banner that reads 'SWRC caseworkers'.

As Caseworkers, they support the SWRC’s solicitors in their day-to-day legal casework. Their activities are varied and extensive and include the development of legal resources and training. Although the work they undertake may often be ‘behind the scenes’, it has been vital to increase our solicitors’ capacity to offer much needed service to survivors of gender based violence.

How can we improve access to justice for victims/survivors of stalking?

Photo of people walking.

Last month, the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2017-2018 released its results and it found that women aged 16-24 are the most affected by stalking and harassment (27%). It also mentioned that only 1 in 10 respondents reported these incidents to the police.

It is clear that women are disproportionately affected by stalking and harassment. And these numbers reflect only the cases where there have been reports. To get a fuller picture, we would need to consider the cases of women who have been stalked but have decided not to report to the police.

6 things you need to know about Scotland’s new Domestic Abuse law

Illustration of woman on a wheelchair holding a megaphone on one hand and raising her fist.

On 1 April 2019, a new Domestic Abuse law came into force in Scotland. This law has been a welcome change because it recognises the multiple ways in which people are affected by domestic abuse. It also expands the definition of what domestic abuse is in criminal law in Scotland and how the police and courts investigate and prosecute this crime.

This law aims to give people living with abuse more opportunities to get legal protections and find justice through the criminal justice system. In this blog we summarise the main aspects of the legislation.

The SWRC’s expansion set to increase legal support for survivors of gender-based violence

Photo of SWRC partners and staff with Community Safety Minister Ash Denham.

We had the pleasure to receive Ash Denham, Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, yesterday at the offices of JustRight Scotland, the legal provider for the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre (“the Centre”), and our new helpline premises.

The visit follows the recent expansion of the Centre thanks to the support of the Scottish Government through the Justice Fund and the Scottish Legal Aid Board.

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08088 010 789

Festive Closure:

Please note our helpline will be closed from 12.30pm on Monday 15th December for the festive period. The service will reopen on 5th January at the usual scheduled times (see below).

Our daytime helpline is currently available:

Our evening helpline, staffed by pro-bono solicitors who can provide initial advice, is currently available:

For up-to-date availability including any upcoming closures, please click here.