Where to get support

You are not alone. If you or someone you know needs help – there is support available now. Do not wait to report a crime against you or seek help due to the ongoing pandemic.

0800 027 1234

Scotland’s Domestic Abuse Helpline

To speak to trained helpline workers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Anyone can call the helpline. They will help you regardless of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, nationality or background.

A confidential translation service is available.

999

Police Emergency

To report immediate danger of harm

101

Local Police

For non-emergency police contact

 

When calling 999, if you can’t speak, listen, and respond to instructions, make yourself heard by making a noise or tapping.

Or, if you’re using a mobile phone,  once prompted by the automated system by pressing 55 (the automated Silent Solution system).

0800 027 1234

Scotland’s Domestic Abuse Helpline

To speak to trained helpline workers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Anyone can call the helpline. They will help you regardless of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, nationality or background.

A confidential translation service is available.

What happens when you call the helpline?

  • Firstly, you’ll be given some recorded information about the helpline. You will then be given three options – press 1 if you are a woman or calling on behalf of a woman, press 2 if you are a man or calling on behalf of a man, and press 3 for non-binary and other gender identities.
  • We will always listen to and believe you.
  • Your call will always be answered by a trained specialist, who understands the dynamics of domestic abuse and forced marriage.
  • We will give you space to talk and work to understand your concerns, without judging you, and without trying to tell you what you should do, or pushing you into any decisions, for example reporting to the police.
  • We will provide you with relevant information and support, depending on what you need, and will let you know about other services that may be able to help.
  • We will treat you fairly and respectfully.
  • We won’t share what you tell us, unless we believe that we have to in exceptional circumstances. For example, if we believed that someone’s life was in immediate danger, or that a child or vulnerable adult was at risk of serious harm.
  • We can speak to you in your preferred language through a confidential interpreting service. We will ask you to hold or arrange to call you back so we can get an interpreter on the line.
  • If you have a hearing or speech difficulty, you can call us using a text relay service such as Relay UK. British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact us through Contact Scotland BSL.

Please note: for safety, we need express permission from an individual in order for us to call them; we do not accept requests to call someone else. If you are concerned about a friend, family member etc., you can pass on our details so they can contact us themselves. You are also welcome to call us yourself to discuss your concerns.
 

Response times

  • We will always try to answer as soon as possible, whether you choose to get in touch by phone, web chat, or email. Phone and web chat are the quickest ways to reach us, but at busy times your call or web chat may be held in a queue. If you are phoning us, you will have the option to leave us a voicemail or wait on the line.
  • If you choose to leave us a voicemail, we will call you back within two hours or as near as possible to another time that you have requested.
  • We will answer emails to the helpline as soon as possible and within a maximum of two days.

Call 0800 027 1234
or visit sdafmh.org.uk

You can call Scotland’s Domestic Abuse Helpline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

999

Police Emergency

To report immediate danger of harm

101

Local Police

For non-emergency police contact

 

When calling 999, if you can’t speak, listen, and respond to instructions, make yourself heard by making a noise or tapping.

Or, if you’re using a mobile phone,  once prompted by the automated system by pressing 55 (the automated Silent Solution system).

Call 999 in case of an emergency

Call 101 for non-emergency police contact

You can call the police 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

What happens when you speak to the police?

The police will help and protect you when you report domestic abuse.

They will:

  • put you in touch with a specially-trained domestic abuse officer and support agencies
  • help you feel safe – taking you to a refuge, or making your own home secure
  • get you medical treatment if you’re injured

The police will need to gather the details of your story and investigate fully.

They will:

  • interview you – you can ask for a female or male officer
  • detain your partner/ex-partner, interviewing them if a crime is established
  • advise you on your next steps – and what’s happening with your partner/ex-partner
  • with your permission, refer you to local aid services for practical and emotional support

With enough evidence, the police will arrest your partner/ex-partner.

If it’s likely your case will result in criminal charges, you’ll be introduced to a Victim Information and Advice (VIA) officer who will:

  • keep you updated on the progress of your case
  • give you information about the criminal justice system
  • tell you what steps have been taken to protect you
  • put you in touch with support organisations who can help you

Tell the police immediately if you feel you’re being harassed or intimidated for having reported domestic abuse.

Support in court

If you’re asked to give court evidence, you’ll be entitled to special measures like:

  • giving evidence via a live TV link
  • screens which stop you having to see someone else involved in the case
  • a supporter staying with you while you give evidence

You can ask for information about your case at any point.
You have rights to support, information and advice at all stages of the criminal justice system – from reporting the crime to going to court.

Can I drop charges at a later date?

No. Once the details of the crime have been passed to the Procurator Fiscal, it’s up to them to decide whether to proceed with the case. You can let the Procurator Fiscal know if you have any concerns.

You can also call these specialist numbers:

03300 949 395

Abused Men in Scotland (AMIS)

National helpline to support abused men

08088 01 03 02

Rape Crisis Scotland

Support for anyone affected by sexual violence

0131 555 3940

LGBT Youth Scotland

Help for LGBT people experiencing abuse

0800 5999 247

Karma Nirvana

Support for victims of domestic abuse, forced marriage and honour based abuse

0131 624 7270

FearFree

Support for victims of domestic abuse who identify as male or from the LGBT+ Community

0800 83 85 87

Breathing Space

Helpline for people feeling down or depressed

08088 010 789

Scottish Women’s Rights Centre

Free and confidential legal information for women affected by gender based violence such as domestic abuse

0141 353 0859

Hemat Gryffe

Support for Asian, black and minority ethnic women

0131 475 2399

SHAKTI Women’s Aid

Help for black minority ethnic (BME) women

0131 556 9302
0141 552 6540

Saheliya

Mental health and well-being support for black, minority ethnic, asylum seeker, refugee and migrant women and girls

0808 801 0301

Amina

Support for Muslim and black and minority ethnic (BME) women

0344 871 11 11

British Red Cross

Helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are

Sources of help

National

Download our leaflet with national sources of help

Download

Local

Use this interactive map to find a local support organisation near you. Clicking this link will take you to an external website.

View map

Are you hurting the one you love? – how to get help

Have you been violent or abusive? Do you think you have a problem controlling your anger with your partner? If you are an abuser or have abused in the past and recognise that in order to change your behaviour you need help there are services available.

The following organisations may be able to assist you:

0808 802 4040

Respect

A helpline for anyone concerned about their violence and/or abuse towards a partner or ex-partner

0800 83 85 87

Breathing Space

Helpline for people feeling down or depressed