Support resources
Resources and contacts for gender-based violence (GBV).
Sources of information
There are several services across the Lothian’s that provide sexual violence support to women and men and contact details for them can be found in the City of Edinburgh Council resources page.
The Scottish Government provides online information for women or men over 16 who have been sexually assaulted. This includes an information pack addressing common questions asked by survivors of sexual assault.
Scottish Government: Information and help after rape and sexual assault
Overview of gender-based violence - Public Health Scotland
Scottish Government Equally Safe strategy
Useful links from Edinburgh Women's Aid to a variety of services for all
The Advice Place
The Students' Association's Advice Place is a professional, independent and confidential advisory service who can also offer information on a wide range of issues including gender-based violence to all survivors.
Other resources for support
| Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre |
A specialist agency providing support in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Contact: 07966 067 301, 0131 556 9437 or support@ercc.scot. Open to all |
| Edinburgh Women’s Aid |
An agency that provides a range of services for women and trans women experiencing domestic abuse including a dedicated court support project, and access to one-to-one support as required. Contact: 0131 315 8110 or duty@edinwomensaid.co.uk Open to all |
| The National Stalking Helpline |
Provide information and advice on support and options available to you. Contact: 0808 802 0300 Open to all |
| Rape Crisis Scotland |
Provides a national rape crisis helpline, as well as email support for anyone affected by sexual violence, regardless of gender, no matter when or how it happened. Contact: 0808 801 0302 (5pm to midnight) Open to all |
| SARCS |
The NHS Scotland sexual assault self-referral phone service for support following a rape or sexual assault to all survivors. The service can arrange for a forensic medical examination within 7 days of the assault, without making a report to the police, and also link in with follow-up support. Contact: 0800 148 8888 (24-hour service). Open to all |
| Scotland's Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline |
Provides confidential information and support to anyone affected by forced marriage or domestic abuse. Contact : 0800 027 1234 (24-hour service) Open to all |
| Scottish Women's Rights Centre |
Provides legal advice, advocacy support, and information for female survivors of GBV. Contact: 08088 010 789 Open to female survivors |
| Scottish Women's Aid |
Provides advice, support and safe accommodation for women (and their children) who have been abused by their partner or ex-partner. They can also recommend local groups. Contact: 0131 226 6606 Open to all |
| Beira's Place |
Beira’s Place is a sexual violence support project based in Edinburgh but covering the whole Lothian region. They deliver a free trauma informed service to women survivors of sexual abuse from aged 16 years, no matter when that sexual violence or abuse has happened in their lives. Beira’s Place service is a ‘single-sex service’ under the Equality Act 2010 and does not offer services to trans women. This means that the service is not open to males or to trans women, however options for support for male and trans survivors are set out elsewhere on this page.” Phone line Mon- Fri 10am- 5pm – 0131 526 3944 or email support@beirasplace.org.uk |
| Shakti Women’s Aid |
Supporting black minority ethnic (BAME) women who are experiencing or who have experienced domestic abuse. Contact: 0131 475 2399 Open to BAME female survivors |
| SurvivorsUK: male rape and sexual abuse |
A national helpline for men, or anyone who has formerly identified as male, who have experienced sexual abuse and offer support through web chat, WhatsApp and text. Contact: Text - 020 3322 1860 or live chat at www.survivorsuk.org Open to all |
| Safeline |
A helpline for male survivors. Contact: 0808 800 5008 Open to male survivors |
| Respect phoneline |
A confidential and anonymous helpline for anyone concerned about violence and/or abuse towards a partner or ex-partner. Email: info@respectphoneline.org.uk or freephone: 0808 8024040. There are also links to support female survivors and an advice line for male victims of domestic abuse. Contact: 0808 801 0327 |
| Victim Support Scotland |
Information and support for all victims and witnesses of crime. Contact: 0345 603 9213 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm) Open to all |
Educational resources
The University offers training courses to promote positive behaviours around sexual consent and tackling all forms of harassment.
Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Violence:
Evidence based online training on how to respond appropriately and sensitively to disclosures of gender-based violence from students and staff members within a university setting.
This updated course provides training on gender-based violence (GBV) in the university context which aims to upskill staff members on appropriate & trauma informed responses to disclosures of abuse. The refreshed materials will equip all staff with the practical knowledge base and skills needed to provide an effective & survivor centred first and signpost to potential sources of further support.
This new edition has been updated to reflect a broader focus on GBV and coverage of image based abuse has been expanded, including how to recognise forms of abuse and is a trauma informed resource designed by GBV for all staff at Higher Educational institutions – with student facing roles and student leaders.
Consent Matters: Boundaries, Respect & Positive Intervention Course:
This fully interactive, evidence based online course has been updated in June 2023- with input from our GBV Manager, National GBV Advisors and student & staff reviewers. The diverse content provides current, inclusive training & awareness on sexual consent, communication and relationships, and bystander intervention. This online course is concise and fully flexible, and can be integrated into a blended learning approach to complement our existing work on face to face training & workshops. This course is suitable for staff, students & student leaders & helps to promote positive change on the campus community around sexual consent.
Instructions for accessing the courses
1. Click on this link to register https://courses.epigeum.com/register.
Complete all the required fields, leave the ‘Institution-specific field’ blank.
IMPORTANT: You must use your University of Edinburgh email address to register.
2. In the 'Token' field enter the relevant code for the course you wish to complete.
- Consent Matters: 20dbe410
- Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Violence: ea2372f3
3. Click the 'Register' button at the bottom of the page.
4. You'll receive an account activation email to the address you entered during registration. Click on the link in the email to activate your account.
If you don't receive the email you can resend it here https://courses.epigeum.com/register/revalidate.
5. Once your account is activated you can log in using your username (your email address) and password.
6. You'll see the Epigeum programmes in the 'My Courses' screen.
If you don’t see the programmes you may need to enter the 'Token' in the user menu which is at the top of the page on the right.
7. Click on a programme to see the available courses, then click on a course to launch it. When your account active you can access it here https://courses.epigeum.com/login.
If you have any problems please see the help page https://courses.epigeum.com/help or contact the Epigeum customer support team here https://www.epigeum.com/epigeum-technical-support/.
Consent Matters and Tackling Harassment online modules
The University of Edinburgh works with the Consent Collective, a not-for-profit collaboration of experts, activists and performers who help organisations and communities talk about consent, sexual harassment and domestic abuse.
Self-care and wellbeing
The Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre provides online support and self-care resources designed specifically for survivors of GBV.
Online resources - Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre (ercc.scot)
The University also provides general self-care and wellbeing information. Self-help | The University of Edinburgh