Support from Specialist Services

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In an emergency, call 999. Following a Rape or Sexual Assault, SARCS can provide immediate key advice on 0800 148 88 88, any day and at any time.

UHI is not affiliated with the external services listed. Please check their location, service remit, and privacy notices prior to proceeding.

Support for Domestic Abuse & Coercive Control content

Support for Domestic Abuse & Coercive Control

Support for Domestic Abuse & Coercive Control

Women's Aid

Women’s Aid UK - has live chat and an online forum
Women's Aid Scotland
Women's Aid Wales
Women's Aid Northern Ireland

Local support is grouped around your closest UHI Campus.

UHI Argyll & SAMS 

UHI Inverness

UHI North Highland 

UHI Moray 

UHI Orkney 

UHI West Highland

UHI Perth 

HTC and SMO

UHI Shetland

UHI Outer Hebrides

Scotland Domestic Abuse & Forced Marriage Helpline 

  • All genders & sexualities 
  • 0800 0271234 (24-7) 
  • helpline@sdafmh.org.uk 
  • Webchat 
  • BSL and interpreting services available 

Refuge (National Domestic Abuse Helpline - women only) 

  • 0808 2000 247 (24/7) 
  • Live Chat Mon-Fri 3-10 
  • BSL Service Mon-Fri 10-6 
  • Contact Form 

AMIS (Abused Men in Scotland) 

  • 03300 949395 (Mon-Fri 9-4) 

Respect Men’s Advice Line 

  • 0808 8010327 (Mon-Fri 10-8) 
  • Webchat Wednesdays 
  • info@mensadviceline.org.uk 
  • Interpreters and Next Generation Text Service available

Galop (National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline) 

  • 08009995428 (Mon-Fri 10-5/8) 
  • help@galop.org.uk 
  • Webchat Wed-Thurs 5-8 
  • Translation Available 
  • Hate Crime and Conversion Therapy Survivors support also available

Amina  (Muslim & BME Women in Scotland)

  • 0808 801 0301 (Mon-Fri 10-4) 
  • Webchat 
  • Translation Available including Arabic, Punjabi and Urdu 
  • Covers Domestic Abuse, Child Sexual Abuse, Mental Health, Hate Crime, and more

Opoka (Polish Women in UK)

  • 0300 365 1700

Dogs Trust Freedom Project

  • Helps those leaving unsafe situations find temporary fostering placements for their dog. This is a free service, and they cover the cost of your dog’s food, veterinary care, and any toys or treats.
  • In Scotland, call 0808 169 4315
  • Or email freedomproject@dogstrust.org.uk
Support for Rape & Sexual Abuse/Violence content

Support for Rape & Sexual Abuse/Violence

Support for Rape & Sexual Abuse/Violence

Rape Crisis & Sexual Assault Services

You may also be interested in learning about the SARCS service and forensic medical examinations.

Local support is grouped around your closest UHI Campus.

UHI Argyll & SAMS

UHI Inverness, UHI North Highland, UHI West Highland, SMO, HTC, and EO

  • RASASH 
  • 03330 066909 (Mon/Wed/Fri AM, Tue/Thur PM) 
  • 07451288080 Textline 
  • support@rasash.org.uk 

UHI Moray

UHI Orkney

UHI Outer Hebrides

  • WIRCC 
  • 01851 709965 (Mon-Fri 10-4) 

UHI Perth

UHI Shetland

Survivors UK 

  • For male and non-binary rape/sexual abuse survivors
  • Webchat (Everyday, 12-8) 
  • Textline 020 33221860 

SARCS & Forensic Medical Examinations

  • SARCS centres are available throughout Scotland and near most UHI campuses, and can offer you a Forensic Medical Examination (FME). This is best carried out within 7 days of a rape or sexual assault. A healthcare professional will listen to you and work in a trauma-informed way to collect evidence, with your consent, that may assist an investigation if you later choose to report to the police. Whilst you are there, they can also discuss other needs, referrals, and support with you.

    Evidence can be kept securely by the centre for 26 months after your appointment - giving you time to decide if you would like to report to the police or not. 

    In Scotland, call for free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0800 148 88 88.

 

Support for other forms of GBV content

Support for other forms of GBV

Support for other forms of GBV

Victim Support Scotland
  • All genders & sexualities
  • Scotland-wide (rest of UK, and European services also available)
  • For victims of any crime including stalking and hate crime
  • 0800 160 1985 (Mon-Fri 8-8)
  • Webchat Mon-Fri 8-8, and Sat 9-1
  • In-person support may be available, as well as supported visits to courts

Unseen (Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline)
  • All genders & sexualities
  • UK-wide
  • Exploitation, including sexual exploitation and trafficking
  • 08000 121 700 (24/7)
  • Online reporting form available
  • Translation services available

National Stalking Helpline (Suzy Lamplugh Trust)
  • All genders & sexualities
  • UK-wide
  • Stalking
  • 0808 8020300 (Mon-Fri 9:30-4, and until 8pm Wed)
  • Contact form available

Revenge Porn Helpline
  • All genders & sexualities
  • UK-wide
  • Intimate image abuse, sextortion/blackmail, “revenge porn”
  • Also supports sex-workers subject to intimate image abuse

Forward UK
  • UK-wide
  • Female Genital Mutilation

 

Shakti Women’s Aid
  • Scotland-wide advice, with other services specific to Edinburgh & surrounding areas
  • BME women
  • FGM, honour-based violence, forced marriage, and domestic abuse
  • 0131 475 2399 (Mon/Wed/Thurs/Fri 9:30-4, Tues 1-4)
  • Staff speak a range of languages, plus have access to interpreters.

Encompass
  • Scotland
  • Provides online booklets and safety planning for those involved in the sex industry 
  • Online resources only

NAPAC
  • National Association for People Abused in Childhood (UK)
  • 0808 801 0331 (Mon-Thur 10-9, Fri 10-6)
  • support@napac.org.uk
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Exit site

Support if you are not in the UK content

Support if you are not in the UK

Support if you are not in the UK

Hot Peach Pages

  • A database of GBV support & telephone support in every country, translated where possible

Rape Crisis Support After Rape or Sexual Assault Abroad

British Embassies, High Commissions, and Consulates

  • Can assist if you are a British national travelling or studying abroad

Victim Support Europe

  • Provide support guides, and an interactive map of Victim Support agencies across Europe