External groups and charities
Below are external groups and charities who can provide support.
Aditi
Provides one to one mental health and wellbeing support to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) women in a range of languages who are affected by domestic and honour-based abuse.
0131 603 4865
Amina – The Muslim Women’s resource centre
Offers a range of tailored support services on a one to one basis, national ‘listening ear’ helpline which also offers Islamic advice through a scholar, employability guidance, befriending, as well as through peer group support.
0141 212 8420
0808 801 0301
Another Way
One to one support for women involved in selling or exchanging sex in Edinburgh, Lothians and Scottish Borders. Sacro workers offer women support with issues such as
- addictions
- domestic abuse
- healthcare
- housing
- parenting
- cognitive behavioural therapy
- exiting sex work.
They provide information on relevant agencies and services from training and employment to benefits.
0131 624 7270
Beira’s Place
Offers support, advocacy and information on all forms of sexual violence, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation, to women aged 16 and over who live in any part of the Lothians. The service is free and confidential and offered to women no matter when the violence or abuse has happened. Beira’s Place is a single-sex service for women as defined in the Equality Act 2010.
0131 526 3944 available Monday to Friday between 10am and 5pm
Bright Choices
Supports any woman, man, child or family affected by honour based violence, including forced marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). This service is provided by the Multicultural Family Base.
0131 622 7500
Visit Multicultural Family Base
Children 1st
Children 1st supports children in Scotland to live in safe, loving families and to build strong communities. They provide holistic family support and trauma recovery in neighbourhoods across Scotland and work with children, young people and their families to uphold and progress their rights and to strengthen and improve the systems that are there to support them.
08000 28 22 33 available Monday to Friday between 9am and 9pm and Saturday and Sunday between 9am and 12pm
Citizens Advice
Provides information and advice on a range of issues, including domestic abuse, family breakup, marriage and civil partnership.
EDDACS
EDDACS is a support and advocacy service for female victims of domestic abuse crimes going through the court process. EDDACS supports by explaining the court process, completing a risk assessment and individual support and safety plan with each woman.
If you are currently going through the court process as the victim of a domestic abuse crime you can phone EDDACS for support on
0131 315 8122.
Edinburgh Rape Crisis centre
Offers free emotional and practical support, information and advocacy to women, girls aged 12 and over and all members of the transgender community who have experienced sexual violence at any time in their lives. Offers support including a helpline, face to face support, long-term, group, advocacy and crisis and email.
0131 556 9437 - office hours
08088 01 03 02 - 6pm to midnight helpline
Visit Edinburgh Rape Crisis centre
Edinburgh Women's Aid
Provides confidential information, support and, if needed, refuge accommodation for women and any accompanying children and young people experiencing domestic abuse.
0131 315 8110
FearFree
Is a support service for any man, or LGBTI+ person experiencing domestic abuse.
0131 624 7266
Feniks
Provides mental health and wellbeing support to central and east european community members, particularly Polish. Feniks has a dedicated mental health and practical support service for migrant women affected by domestic abuse.
0131 629 1881
Foursquare
A service for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, including women affected by domestic abuse and who might have experienced trauma.
0131 557 7901
LGBT helpline
Provides information and emotional support to the entire diversity of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community across Scotland, including queer, intersex, asexual people and all identities under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella. This includes families, friends and supporters of LGBT people, and health and social care professionals working with LGBT people.
0300 123 2523 available Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 12 noon and 9pm and Thursdays and Sundays 1pm to 6pm
Visit the LGBT helpline Scotland
Rape Crisis Scotland
Offers free and confidential support and information.
08088 01 03 02 available everyday 6pm to 12 midnight
Respect
Can provide details of domestic abuse perpetrator programmes and associated support services.
0808 802 4040
info@respectphoneline.org.uk available Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 12pm and 4pm to 6pm.
A webchat service is now offered Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10am to 11am and 3pm to 4pm.
Saheliya
Is a Women’s mental health organisation, which provides services to support the mental health and wellbeing of black, minority ethnic, asylum seeker, refugee and migrant women and girls age +12 in Edinburgh.
0131 556 9302
The Samaritans
Offer 24-hour confidential emotional support for anyone in crisis.
116 123
jo@samaritans.org for non-crisis
Scotland's Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage helpline
Provides help, advice and information in absolute confidence, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
0800 027 1234
Visit Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage helpline
Scottish Women’s Rights Centre
Offers free and confidential information and advice. Also offers weekly surgeries in Glasgow.
08088 010 789 available Tuesdays 6pm to 9pm, Wednesdays 1.30pm to 4.30pm and Fridays 10am to 1pm
Shakti Women's Aid
Based in Edinburgh, Shakti helps women who are experiencing domestic abuse. They offer support and information to all black minority ethnic women over 16 years and their children experiencing and fleeing domestic abuse.
0131 475 2399
Shelter Scotland
This is a free phone service providing information about emergency access to refuge services and general housing matters.
0808 800 4444
Shelter online chat service and Edinburgh Hub
Victim Support Scotland
Victim Support Scotland offers information and support to victims of crime, including domestic abuse and has local services all over Scotland available Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm. They also run an online chat service available 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays.
0800 160 1985