Help and Support for Victims of Crime

For help and support from Police Scotland:

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101 is the number to call to contact the police when it’s not an emergency and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Find out more about what you can use 101 for here https://www.scotland.police.uk/about-us/call-handling/nonemergencies/frequently-asked-questions/

But remember – in critical or life-threatening circumstances always call 999.

Read what you can do if you need to call 999 but cannot make a noise or speak Silent Solution Guide

https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Documents/research-learning/Silent_solution_guide.pdf

Support for victims of crime

Victim Support Scotland

Victim Support Scotland can be contacted via its free helpline 0800 160 1985 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Monday to Friday) or through a Webchat service (Monday – Friday 9 am – 1pm) or via a self-referral form.

More information can be accessed here: Contact us | Victim Support Scotland.

Edinburgh Women’s Aid

To contact Edinburgh Women’s Aid: https://edinwomensaid.co.uk/contact-us/

For support or to contact any of Edinburgh Women’s Aid’s support services call 0131 315 8110

Duty Opening Hours

  • Mon: 10am – 3pm

  • Tue: 10am – 3pm

  • Wed: 10am – 3pm

  • Thu: 10am – 3pm

  • Fri: 10am – 3pm

  • Sat: 10am – 1pm

  • Sun: Closed

…or leave a message on the 24-hour answer machine or email info@edinwomensaid.co.uk

Rape Crisis Scotland’s helpline

For phone support today, you can:

  • call Rape Crisis Scotland’s national helpline on 08088 010302 (freephone, 6pm – midnight every day)

  • or text: 07537 410 027 (6pm – midnight).

  • They also offer a Deaf access service every Tuesday 1.30pm – 5pm.

  • On Mondays and Thursdays they also offer a LGBTI specific service from 7pm to midnight.

Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre

Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre (ercc.scot) can be contacted on 07966 067 301 or call their call back phone on 0131 556 9437 to leave a message. Please leave your contact details such as your mobile number or email address for someone to contact you on. Calls won’t be answered but this will be checked each working day.

Email support

If you’d like to email the support service about making an appointment or referral – or are looking for email support please email support@ercc.scot. You’ll receive an automatic response to your email on the day it is sent and a fuller reply thereafter.

If you are experiencing Violence and Abuse

Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline

If you are living with Gender-Based violence you can help and support by contacting the Scottish Domestic abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline: https://sdafmh.org.uk/contact-us/

This helpline for all people experiencing violence or abuse in a personal relationship, or who have experienced sexual violence. The Helpline is open 24 hours, 365 days a year.

Call the Helpline on 0800 027 1234

Chat online

Email the helpline (You will receive a reply as soon as possible and within two days.) helpline@sdafmh.org.uk

Scottish Women’s Rights Centre

Other helpful sources of support for those experiencing Gender-Based violence can be accessed here: https://www.scottishwomensrightscentre.org.uk/abuse-violencevictim-support/

For survivors of childhood sexual abuse

For information about sources of support if you are a survivor of childhood abuse please visit: https://www.mygov.scot/childhood-abuse



Photo: Police in Edinburgh, by Dick Elbers. Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Banner Photo: Portobello Police Station, by Lee Kindness via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-2.5