Publication - Advice and guidance

Information and help after rape and sexual assault

Part of: Equality and rights, Law and order
ISBN: 9781785449895

Information pack for women and men over 16 who have been raped or sexually assaulted.

Section 4: Help and information

Main support organisations
Helplines and websites

Main support organisations

This section gives details of main support organisations. You can speak to them in private. They can all tell you about other organisations in your local area which can help.

Rape Crisis Scotland

Rape Crisis Scotland ( RCS) is the national office for the rape crisis movement in Scotland. Whether you are a woman or man who has experienced sexual violence, or a friend or family member looking for information and support, RCS can put you in contact with your nearest local service.

First Floor, Tara House
46 Bath Street
Glasgow
G2 1HG

Tel: 0141 331 4180
Minicom: 0141 332 2168
Email: info@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
Rape Crisis Scotland Helpline: 08088 01 03 02 (daily 6pm-12 midnight)

Offers initial and crisis support and information, and signposting to local services for ongoing support.

Archway - Sexual Assault Referral Centre

There is one Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Scotland (Archway). This is open 24 hours every day. It is for anyone (over 13) in the Strathclyde Police area who has been raped or sexually assaulted within the previous seven days. It offers various services including forensic examinations; testing for infections; support and counselling. It can also store forensic samples to give you time to decide whether or not to involve the police. Or, if you agree, it can pass samples anonymously to the police for testing.

You can contact Archway through any police station in the Strathclyde Police area or by phoning direct on 0141 211 8175.

2-6 Sandyford Place
Glasgow
G3 7NB

Scottish Women's Aid

Women's Aid provides advice, support and safe accommodation for women (and their children) who been abused mentally, physically and/or sexually by their partner/ex-partner. A network of local Women's Aid groups is affiliated to Scottish Women's Aid. For details of local groups see the website or phone the number below.

2nd Floor
132 Rose Street
Edinburgh
EH2 3JD

Tel: 0131 226 6606
Email: info@scottishwomensaid.org.uk
www.scottishwomensaid.org.uk

Victim Support Scotland

Victim Support provides practical and emotional support for victims of crime. They are experienced in working with women and men who have been raped or sexually assaulted. They can provide:

Time to talk
Information about reporting and the criminal justice process
Support if your case goes to court
Help with compensation claims
Information about other agencies which can help

Victim Support Scotland runs the Witness Service (see below).

You do not have to have reported the rape/sexual assault to get help.

There are local offices across Scotland.

You can contact the Victim Support Scotland helpline on 0345 603 9213 (Monday-Friday 8am-8pm) or the UK support line on 0808 16 89 111 (Monday-Friday 9am-9pm and weekends 9am-7pm) or see online at www.victimsupportsco.org.uk.

15/23 Hardwell Close
Edinburgh
EH8 9RX

Tel: 0131 668 4486
Email: info@victimsupportsco.org.uk
www.victimsupportsco.org.uk

The Witness Service

The Witness Service is provided by Victim Support Scotland to all witnesses. The Witness Service is free, confidential and independent and is based in every High Court and Sheriff Court.

The Witness Service can:

Talk to you about how you are feeling (but not about the detail of the case)
Arrange for you to visit the court before the trial so you can see what it looks like
Sit in court with you, if approved by the court
Explain how the court works and who does what
Help with practicalities like filling out expenses forms or finding your way round the court building
Tell you about other organisations which can help

Victim Information and Advice ( VIA) will refer you to the Witness Service for a court familiarisation visit unless you ask them not to.

If you want to speak to someone before you come to court phone the Victim Support helpline on 0345 603 9213 or get details of your local service at www.victimsupportsco.org.uk.

The Scottish Women's Rights Centre

The Scottish Women's Rights Centre has a helpline to offer women who have experienced domestic abuse, rape or any other form of violence, access to free, specialist legal advice and support.

This helpline can provide information on rights to protective orders in cases of domestic abuse, advice on housing and welfare issues.

The helpline currently runs every Wednesday afternoon from 1.30pm-4.30pm on 08088 010 789.

Genito Urinary Medicine ( GUM) clinics

GUM clinics are part of the NHS. They offer free and confidential services for anyone, of any age, who has been raped or sexually assaulted. This includes support, testing and advice. Staff are sensitive and experienced in working with men and women. You can ask to be seen by a male or female doctor. You do not have to give your name or details. You do not have to go to your nearest clinic if you prefer to be seen outwith your own area.

At the clinic, staff will discuss your options with you fully and help you decide what course of action to take. They can also tell you about other services which support people who have been raped or sexually assaulted. GUM clinics do not take forensic samples, but if you wish to have a forensic examination and are thinking about reporting the assault to the police, they will give you details.

Clinics will not pass details to your GP without your permission. Records are kept separate from your general medical record.

Most GUM clinics have both drop-in and appointment services. Some GUM clinics also have special clinics for people who have been raped or sexually assaulted. Phone first for details.

There are clinics across Scotland. You can get details of your nearest clinic from www.nhs24.com/findlocal or phone the Sexual Health Scotland Helpline on 0800 22 44 88. Their website can be found at www.sexualhealthscotland.co.uk/.

Citizens Advice Scotland

Citizens Advice Bureaux ( CAB) provide free, independent, impartial advice. There are local bureaux across Scotland. They can tell you about local services. For details of bureaux locations see www.cas.org.uk or check your phone directory or phone Citizens Advice Scotland on 0808 800 9060. You can get basic information online at www.adviceguide.org.uk.

Helplines and websites

The following helplines offer free and confidential support. They are mostly based in Scotland. They can all tell you about support available in your area. 0800 and 0808 numbers are free from landlines and will not show up on phone bills. Calls from a mobile may cost depending on your provider and may show up on the bill. Some organisations provide confidential email/text support. You can find out about this on the websites below.

SEXUAL VIOLENCE/SURVIVORS OF CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE

Rape Crisis Scotland Helpline: 08088 01 03 02 (daily 6pm-12 midnight)

www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk

Initial and crisis support and information, and signposting to local services for ongoing support.

DOMESTIC ABUSE

Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 027 1234 (24 hours)

www.scottishwomensaid.org.uk/advice-information-0

Advice and support for anyone affected by domestic abuse

ASSIST 0141 276 7710

A specialist domestic abuse advocacy and support service for women and men within most of the West Command of Police Scotland - the legacy 'Strathclyde Police Force' area. It's linked to all the Sheriff Courts in this area, including the Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts at Glasgow and Ayr. We also support male victims where the case is being heard at Edinburgh's Domestic Abuse Court.

Scotland's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Domestic Abuse Project

www.lgbtdomesticabuse.org.uk

For LGBT people who are, or think they may be, experiencing domestic abuse

MEN

Survivors UK National Helpline Webchat:

(Monday and Tuesday 6pm-9pm; Wednesday 12pm-2:30pm & 6pm-9pm; Thursday 12pm-2.30pm)

www.survivorsuk.org

Information, support and counselling for men who have been raped or sexually abused

Men's Advice Line: 0808 801 0327 (Monday-Friday 9am‑5pm)

www.mensadviceline.org.uk

For men experiencing domestic abuse from their current or ex-partner

AMIS (Abused Men In Scotland): 0808 800 0024 (Monday-Friday 9am-4pm)

www.amis.org.uk

Support to any man affected by domestic abuse

VICTIMS OF CRIME

Victim Support Scotland: 0345 603 9213 (Monday-Friday 8am-8pm)

www.victimsupportsco.org.uk

Information for victims of crime

CRISIS SUPPORT AND COUNSELLING

Breathing Space: 0800 83 85 87 (Monday-Thursday 6pm-2am and weekends Friday 6pm-Monday 6am)

www.breathingspace.scot

For people (particularly young men) feeling down or depressed or unusually worried and needing someone to talk to

Samaritans: 08457 90 90 90 (24 hours)

www.samaritans.org

For people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide

DISABILITY

Update: 0300 323 9961

www.update.org.uk

Scotland's national disability information service and can signpostmto relevant services

ENABLE Scotland

www.enable.org.uk

Two booklets about sexual abuse and adults with learning disabilities. One is in easy-read format for adults with learning disabilities. Available in the publications section of the website

DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

Know the Score: 0800 587 587 9 (8am-11pm, 7 days) http://knowthescore.info

Drugs information and advice

Drink Smarter: Drinkline Helpline 0800 7 314 314 (8am-11pm, 7 days) www.drinksmarter.org

Alcohol information and advice

ETHNIC MINORITY WOMEN

Amina - Muslim Women's Resource Centre

www.mwrc.org.uk

Confidential information, advice and listening ear for women

Hemat Gryffe Women's Aid: 0141 353 0859 (24 hours) www.hematgryffe.org.uk

Shakti Women's Aid: 0131 475 2399 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-4pm) www.shaktiedinburgh.co.uk

Advice, support and safe refuge for black minority ethnic women experiencing domestic abuse