News/Blog
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.
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.
The new times are as follows:
- Monday 2 - 5pm
- Tuesday 6 - 8pm
- Wednesday 11am - 2pm
- Friday 10am - 1pm
The idea behind the new schedule is to give survivors as much flexibility as possible to access the service. These changes will also allow us to reach more women affected by gender based violence and provide them with information about their rights, so they can make informed decisions about their next steps.
About the SWRC Helpline
Our Legal Helpline is a free and confidential service available to any woman in Scotland who has experienced gender based violence. The helpline can be reached on:
08088 010 789
We can provide information on issues such as:
- Legal rights when a relationship that included gender based violence or abuse has ended
- Applying for legal protection orders to protect from harassment, abuse or forced marriage
- The process of reporting a crime of gender based violence
- Rights as a victim in the criminal justice system
- Asking for a Right to Review in situations where the Procurator Fiscal has decided not to prosecute
- Custody and child contact arrangements where there has been gender-based violence
- Criminal Injuries Compensation (and other types of compensation)
- Legal options where there is risk or incidents of female genital mutilation
Our solicitors can give more specific advice at one of our legal surgeries for women who might need it.
Additional support
If you are experiencing or have experienced abuse or violence and you are looking for other types of support, click here for a list of support agencies or call the following helplines:
National Helpline: 08088 01 03 02 (daily, 6pm – midnight)
Domestic abuse and forced marriage helpline: 0800 027 1234
Helpline: 0800 160 1985 (Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm)
National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300