What is Gender-Based Violence?

Gender-based violence is a term that is used to describe crimes such as rape, domestic abuse, stalking, and forced marriage that are overwhelmingly but not exclusively carried out by men against women. It is a symptom of the historic and current inequalities of power that exist in society.

There are many ways in which gender-based violence can cause harm. It can be physical, financial, emotional, sexual, or cause harm and suffering in other ways. What all forms of gender-based violence have in common is that they stem from and reinforce gender inequality.

Some examples of gender-based violence include:

• rape or other sexual crimes
• domestic violence
• stalking
• forced marriage
• so-called 'honour' crimes
• sexual harassment

These crimes can happen in public or private life. Threats also count as forms of gender-based violence.

'Violence against women' is a term often used interchangeably with gender-based violence. This is because it is widely acknowledged that the majority of persons affected by gender-based violence are women and girls, as a result of unequal distribution of power in society between women and men.

What are my legal options?

We have resources and appropriate signposting available on our ‘For Survivors’ page. For information on reporting, we have a resource tailored to reporting sexual violence.

Looking for helpful resources on gender-based violence?

We have an inclusion statement available for you to view.

We also have a variety of legal guides on different forms of gender-based violence.

Useful contacts

Sexual Violence and Abuse

Rape Crisis Scotland

The RCS Helpline is available daily from 5pm – midnight offering free and confidential support and information to survivors of sexual violence, their friends, relatives and workers.

• Phone number: 08088 01 03 02
• Email: support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk

Trauma Counselling Line Scotland

The Trauma Counselling Line Scotland is a confidential telephone counselling to any adult who experienced abuse as a child. This can include sexual, emotional, physical, psychological, spiritual abuse or neglect. It works on an appointment basis. Appointments can be made by calling during opening hours (Mon-Wed: 5pm–8pm, Thurs & Fri: 9am-2pm)

• Phone number: 08088 020 406

SAY Women

SAY Women is a voluntary organisation which offers safe, supported accommodation and related services for young women, aged 16-25 years, who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse, rape or sexual assault and who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.

• Phone number: 0141 552 5803

Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Harassment

Scotland’s Domestic Abuse & Forced Marriage Helpline

Scotland’s Domestic Abuse & Forced Marriage Helpline is available 24/7 offering support and advice to anyone affected by domestic abuse or forced marriage. For information on your local Women’s Aid group or on refuge accommodation please visit Scottish Women’s Aid.

• Phone number: 0800 027 1234
• Email: helpline@sdafmh.org.uk

Amina Muslim Women’s Resource Centre

The Helpline is a listening ear and signposting service for Muslim women across Scotland. It is free from mobiles and landlines and will not appear on your phone bill. All calls are strictly confidential and non-judgemental; Amina will always deal with clients in a faith and culturally-sensitive manner.

Amina can help women in English, Urdu, Arabic, Bangla and Swahili and, when required, using online interpreting.

• Phone number: 0808 801 0301 (Monday to Friday from 10am – 4pm)

Hemat Gryffe

Hemat Gryffe Women's Aid provide specialist support to women from the Asian, Black and Minority ethnic community who experience domestic abuse influenced by culture and tradition.

• Phone number: 0141 353 0859

Saheliya

Saheliya is a specialist mental health and well-being support organisation for black, minority ethnic, asylum seeker, refugee and migrant women and girls (12+) in the Edinburgh and Glasgow area.

• Phone number: 0131 556 9302

Shakti Women's Aid

Shakti Women’s Aid helps BME women, children and young people experiencing, or who have experienced, domestic abuse from a partner, ex-partner and/or other members of the household.

• Phone number: 0131 475 2399

Galop - LGBT Domestic Abuse Helpline

• Phone number: 0300 999 5428 or 0800 999 5428

Opening times:

10am – 8pm Monday
10am – 5pm Tuesday
10am – 5pm Wednesday
10am – 8pm Thursday
1pm – 5pm Friday
(1pm – 5pm Tuesday is trans specific service).

The National Stalking Helpline

The National Stalking Helpline is available on weekdays between 9.30am and 4pm, excepting Wednesdays when it is available 1-4pm. Offering support and information if you or someone you know is being made to feel harassed or intimidated by the behaviour of another person or is at risk of emotional or physical harm.

• Phone number: 0808 802 0300
• Email: advice@stalkinghelpline.org

Sexual Exploitation

Encompass

Encompass is a Scottish network of agencies working with people at risk of becoming involved in, who are currently involved in, or who have exited selling or exchanging sexual activity/commercial sexual exploitation (CSE). The safety and well-being of those involved in commercial sexual exploitation / selling or exchanging sex is of prime concern to all Encompass agencies. The agencies are located in different areas across Scotland and details can be found on the website.

Email: encompass@womenssupportproject.org.uk