News/Blog

Festive Season Closures and Safety Planning

In the period between Christmas and New Year, many offices and services may be closed or open with reduced services.

Scottish Women’s Rights Centre Closure

Scottish Women’s Rights Centre will also be closing for the festive season and below we include details of our closing dates, as well as information on services that will still be available to you during this time if you need them. Whatever circumstances you have gone through, we want to reassure you that there are support services you can contact during this time.

Our Centre will be closed for the festive period as follows:

Helpline closed Dec 23rd - Jan 4th

Office closed Dec 23rd - Jan 3rd

If you’re experiencing abuse and you need emotional and/or practical support, please contact the following services:

Emergencies - Police

If you’re in immediate danger call 999

If you’re not in danger but wish to report a crime call 101

Remember: if you are at risk of immediate harm, call 999. If you cannot speak on the phone, use the silent option:

• call 999
• answer the questions by coughing or tapping
• then dial 55 if prompted.

Support

Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage helpline (open 24/7)

Call: 0800 027 1234
Email: helpline@sdafmh.org.uk
Web chat: www.sdafmh.org.uk

National Rape Crisis Helpline (open daily. See festive opening times here - the RCS Helpline remains open but the office will be closed)

Call: 08088 01 03 02
Text: 07537 410027
Email: support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk

Safety Planning

In addition to contacting the above services, 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.

We have written a blog where 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.

You can also find out more about safety planning on Scottish Women’s Aid Website.

Information about your rights

If you have questions about your rights or about specific legal processes related to your experience of abuse/violence while our Centre is closed:

Use the Scottish Law Society website to find a solicitor.

Our resources page has guides explaining some legal options available to you as well as legal processes.