COVID-19: Support available for women experiencing abuse
We know that the pandemic was a particularly stressful and challenging for women experiencing abuse.
Many organisations, centres and groups adjusted their services, as noted below.
Last updated: 20th December 2022
Domestic abuse, forced marriage and stalking
Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage helpline
Open 24/7
Call: 0800 027 1234
Email: helpline@sdafmh.org.uk
Web chat: sdafmh.org.uk
Local Women's Aid groups
Find your local women’s aid group
National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline
Monday to Friday, 10am - 5pm and Wednesday to Thursday, 10am - 8pm.
Call: 0800 999 5428
Email: help@galop.org.uk
Economic abuse
Surviving Economic Abuse have published many resources to help you understand different aspects of economic abuse and what to do.
Website: survivingeconomicabuse.org/i-need-help
ASSIST (covers most of the Central West of Scotland)
This service supports victims of domestic abuse throughout their involvement with the criminal justice system. It is available for women located in most of Scotland's Central West area - you can see a list of locations covered here.
Call: 0141 276 7710 and leave a message
More information: click here to visit the website.
Ubuntu Women's Shelter (for migrant women with No Recourse to Public Funds)
Based in Glasgow, Ubuntu can provide short term (72 hours to 1 week) emergency accommodation for women with no recourse to public funds.
Emergency accommodation: 07570 877817 (open 24/7)
Information and support: 07543 491900 (open Mon- Fri, 10am to 6pm)
Website: www.ubuntu-glasgow.org.uk
National Stalking Helpline
Open Monday to Friday, 9:30am - 4pm:
Call: 0808 802 0300
Fill out their contact form
'Am I being stalked?' - Use this quiz to find out if you are being stalked and where to get support
FollowIt App - a mobile app for women experiencing stalking
You can download this app to record incidents of stalking and keep a log of what is happening to you. This log can be helpful if you decide to report to the police.
Action Against Stalking
A Scottish charity that offers specialised information, advice and support for people experiencing stalking.
Call: 0800 820 2427
Email: support@actionagainststalking.org
Website: www.actionagainststalking.org
Rape and sexual violence
Rape Crisis Scotland
Available for survivors of all forms of sexual violence.
Open daily, 5pm - midnight
Call: 08088
01 03 02
Text: 07537
410027
Email: support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
Local Rape Crisis centres
Find your local rape crisis centre. Some centres also offer helplines available outside the National Rape Crisis Helpline opening times.
Trauma Counselling Line Scotland
A helpline for people who have experienced childhood abuse.
Open Monday to Wednesday, 2pm - 6pm and Friday, 9am - 3pm.
Call: 08088 02 04 06
Email: counselling@health-in-mind.org.uk
More information: visit the website here.
Services for Black and Ethnic Minority women
Shakti Women’s Aid
Open Monday 9:30am-4pm, Tuesday 1pm-4pm and Wednesday-Friday 9:30am-4pm.
Call: 0131 475 2399
Email: info@shaktiedinburgh.co.uk
AMINA – Muslim Women Resource Centre helpline
Amina offer emotional support and advice for Muslim women, including support in relation to abuse or violence and hate crime.
Open Monday to Friday, 10am - 4pm for Muslim women, and Thursday, 6 - 9pm for young Muslim women (16-25).
Call: 0808 801 0301
Click here to access the online chat and other helplines.
Hemat Gryffe
Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Call: 0141 353 0859
Sexual harassment and online abuse
Scottish Women's Rights Centre - Legal helpline
Contact our helpline for an initial legal consultation. We can then refer you to our specialist Sexual Harassment solicitor for further advice if needed. You can also write to our solicitor directly using the details below.
Helpline: 08088 010 789 (see opening times here)
Email: sexualharassment@scottishwomensrightscentre.org.uk
Revenge Porn helpline
Open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm by email only.
Email: help@revengepornhelpline.org.uk
Report the abuse anonymously using this form.
RISE - legal support for women selling or exchanging sex
This is a dedicated service for women who sell/exchange sex and have experienced abuse at any point in their lives. The service offers free and confidential legal and advocacy support. Use the details below to speak to our solicitors
Legal advice: use this form to tell us your availability
The Cyber Helpline
Access their range of guides to help you when your online security has been compromised.
Report Harmful Content
This organisation can support you in reporting harmful online content across different social media platforms.
Voices of Internet Crime
This site has instructions on removing your images from Google and other websites.
Female genital mutilation ('cutting') and Honour-based violence
NSPCC
A helpline for people affected by FGM or those who are worried about another person.
Monday to Friday, 8am-10pm and weekends, 9am-6pm
Call: 0808 800 5000
Email: help@nspcc.org.uk
Karma Nirvana
Supports people at risk of, or affected by, honour-based violence and forced marriage through a helpline and advocacy support.
Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
Call: 0800 5999 247
Website: karmanirvana.org.uk/help
Human trafficking and exploitation
Modern slavery helpline
Call: 08000 121 700 (open 24/7)
You can also make a report using this online form.
Legal advice, practical information and victim support
Scottish Women’s Rights Centre
Helpline - 08088 010 789
Monday 1 - 4 pm
Tuesday 10 am - 1 pm
Wednesday 1 - 4 pm
Friday 10 am - 1 pm
Important: from 10 January 2022 our helpline is temporarily moving to a new format. You can read more about these changes here.
Advice surgeries: to get specific legal advice from our solicitors, you can make an appointment for one of our legal advice surgeries. Appointments take place remotely, by video call or telephone.
Legal representation: we can consider taking your case for legal representation. However, we have very limited capacity. To apply, please fill out our Take On form here.
Victim Support Scotland helpline
Open Monday to Friday, 8am - 8pm.
Call: 0800 160 1985
Action on Elder Abuse helpline
Open Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm.
Call: 0808 808 8141
Housing, immigration, benefits, and other general support
Housing
Ubuntu Women's Shelter (for women with no recourse to public funds)
Based in Glasgow, Ubuntu can provide short term (72 hours to 1 week) emergency accommodation for women with no recourse to public funds.
Emergency accommodation: 07570 877817 (open 24/7)
Information and support: 07543 491900 (open Mon to Fri, 10am - 6pm)
More information: www.ubuntu-glasgow.org.uk
Shelter Scotland
Call: 0808
800 4444 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)
Chat: you can
contact them through online chat here.
Information:
get information on coronavirus and housing issues here.
Positive action in housing
Call: 0141 353 2220
More info: www.paih.org
Benefits, money and general advice
Citizens Advice Scotland
Find information on a range of issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Immigration
Scottish Refugee Council
Open Monday to Friday 10am - 1pm and 2 - 4pm: Wednesdays, 2 - 4pm only.
Helpline: 0808 196 7274
Information: read the changes to the asylum process and resettlement
here.
Mental health
Breathing Space helpline
Open on weekdays (Monday to Thursday 6pm - 2am) and weekends (Friday 6pm to Monday 6am)
Call: 0800 83 85 87
Webchat: Breathing Space are now also offering support through online chat.
