Domestic Abuse Support

Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline

Phone: 0800 027 1234

Confidential information and support is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The Freephone number does not appear on itemised phone bills.

They can put you in touch with local services like Women's Aid, or your Housing Department. Helpline volunteers are all women and have received specialist training.

Police

Phone: 999

Domestic abuse is a criminal offence. Forces have specially trained, experienced officers who will speak to you separately from your partner.

Women can ask to be seen by a woman officer. The police can, if you wish, arrange medical aid, transport and a safe place for you to go. Their first priorities are your safety and wellbeing and that of your children.

To contact the police in an emergency call 999. At other times you can contact your local police station. The number will be in the telephone directory.

Rape Crisis Scotland

Phone: 0141 331 4180

The National Office number is 0141 331 4180 and they can refer you to support available through your local Rape Crisis Centre.

If you are a woman who has been raped or sexually assaulted or who is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, you can contact Rape Crisis Scotland.

Phone numbers for local groups are listed in the telephone directory or are available from the police, social work department or Citizen's Advice Bureau.

National Rape Crisis Scotland Helpline

Phone: 08088 01 03 02

The helpline has been launched to provide support for anyone who has been affected by sexual violence.

The helpline is open every evening between 6pm and midnight and is staffed by a team of trained female staff who will provide free and confidential support, information and signposting to anyone aged 13+ who has experienced sexual violence as well as family, friends and workers.

Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Glasgow (Archway)

Phone: 0141 211 8175

Archway Glasgow is a co-ordinated multi-agency response to rape and sexual assault within the Greater Glasgow area based at the Sandyford Initiative. It will provide forensic, health and support services within one central location.

The project will respond to adult women and men and to adolescents (age 13-16) either through agency referral or self-referral. Archway Glasgow will be open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. The project can be contacted on the number above and at www.archwayglasgow.com.

The ethos of the project is courtesy, dignity, privacy and respect, and the service will ensure that everyone is dealt with in a gender-sensitive and culturally sensitive manner.

Victim Support

Phone: 0845 60 39 213

Victim Support Scotland offers information and support to victims of crime, including domestic abuse, and has local services all over Scotland. All help is free and confidential.

The National Victim Support Scotland Office is located in Edinburgh and can be contacted on 0131 668 4486. To find your local Victim, Witness or Youth Justice Service, contact the lo-call number above, look in the telephone directory or use the Online Directory of Services.

ChildLine

Phone: 0800 1111

This is the free national helpline for children and young people in trouble or danger. It is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can phone at any time if you need help with a problem.

Shelter

Phone: 0808 800 4444

This is a free, national telephone advice line providing information about emergency access to refuge services and general housing matters. Their lines are open seven days a week from 8am to midnight.

The Samaritans

Phone: 08457 90 90 90

Samaritans provide confidential, non-judgemental, emotional support, 24 hours a day for anyone in crisis. This number links up all their branches; or you can use the number of your local branch, which you can find in the phone book.

Samaritans offer their service by telephone, email, letter and face-to-face in most branches.

Men's Advice Line

Phone: 0808 801 0327

The Men's Advice Line provides a range of services aimed primarily at men experiencing domestic abuse from their partner, although the service also receives calls from men who are concerned, or have concerns, about their own abusive behaviour and violence towards their partners and/or children. They can be contacted on the number above or via email at info@mensadviceline.org.uk.

Careline

Phone: 0845 122 8622

Careline provides a confidential national telephone counselling service for children, young people and adults on any issue including family, marital and relationship problems, child abuse, rape and sexual assault, depression and anxiety.

Counsellors will be on hand from 10am to 1pm, and 7pm to 10pm Monday to Friday to help talk through your problems.

Lothian Gay and Lesbian Switchboard

Phone: 0131 556 4049

The Lothian Gay and Lesbian Switchboard is a help and support organisation, providing services to gay and lesbian people in Edinburgh and the Lothians, although these services are also available to people living throughout Scotland and abroad.

This line is manned every night of the week from 7.30pm to 10pm, 365 days a year.

Strathclyde Lesbian and Gay Switchboard

Phone: 0141 847 0447

Strathclyde Gay and Lesbian Switchboard is a support service for people in the West of Scotland experiencing problems relating to sexuality. The Switchboard offers a wide range of services to lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transvestites, transsexuals and their families and friends. Four phone lines are open every night of the year from 7pm until 10pm. All calls are confidential.