Who to contact and useful resources

Are you or is someone you know suffering from domestic abuse?

If you are seeking advice and support please contact the support services listed on this page directly. They will do everything they can to meet your needs and will signpost you to other organisations, if you need extra help.

Make a Stand

The Pledge has been developed by the Chartered Institute of Housing in partnership with Women's Aid and the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance. By signing up to the Pledge, Argyll and Bute Council has committed to providing specific support for people experiencing domestic abuse.

This includes:

Putting in place a policy to support residents who are affected by domestic abuse
Making information about national and local domestic abuse support services available on the council website and in other appropriate places so that they are easily accessible for residents and staff
Putting in place a HR policy, or amending an existing policy, to support members of staff who may be experiencing domestic abuse
Appointing a champion at a senior level in the organisation to oversee activity to support people experiencing domestic abuse.

Women’s Aid

One in four women in Scotland experience domestic abuse and the harms they are subjected to can include physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse. These harms are used by an abusive partner to gain and maintain power and control over a girlfriend, partner or ex-partner.

If you are frightened or worried about the way your partner (or ex) is treating you, you don’t have to suffer in silence – we are only a phone call away.

What we can provide

a free, confidential support service for women, children and young people
practical and emotional support
outreach support
information on personal safety, housing, benefits and legal issues
access to refuge accommodation
specialist support for children & young people

There are many things we can help you do to change your situation when you feel ready

You can call us to talk over your options with one of our fully trained support workers
You can access appointments at times and in venues that feel right for you
You can use our service as you need it, whether it be a one off call or long term support
You can also phone the domestic abuse helpline on 0800 027 1234
In an emergency situation always call 999
You can report historic abuse at your local police station or via 101

Remember, you are not to blame for the violence or abuse, although your partner may say that you are. No one deserves to be abused.

Our workers will listen to you and will not judge you and they will help you to explore your options and support any decision you make.

Contact Us

Argyll and Bute Women’s Aid (all areas): 01369 706636

E-mail: info@abwa.org.uk

Website - Argyll Womens Aid

Facebook: Argyll Women’s Aid

Rape Crisis

We provide specialist support and advocacy services to all survivors of all forms of sexual violence, including, but not limited to, rape, sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse whether recent or historic.

This free and confidential support is available to all survivors regardless of ethnicity or gender identity, so long as they are aged 12 years or over. The service is also available to non-offending family members as we are aware of the impact sexual trauma can have on them.

Find us on Facebook

You can access emotional support along with practical support on health issues, Police and legal procedures, hospital and Doctors’ appointments and Court attendance.

We use the term “Survivor” rather than victim – we know that your experience is unique to you and we believe that, with support, you can find your own answers. You don’t have to make the journey alone.

Everything you say is treated in confidence within the terms of our Child Protection and Vulnerable Adults policies.

If you have been raped or sexually assaulted you can call the Police - but if you decide not to, at this time, try to keep your clothing as forensic evidence diminishes after 72 hours. A Support Worker can accompany you to report if that’s what you want to do.

We will support you whether you decide to report to the Police or not. We can offer you information and options and no matter what your decisions or choices are, we will always respect them and you.

Police

Police Scotland works to a nationally agreed definition of domestic abuse which has been adopted by the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service.

This is: "Any form of physical, verbal, sexual, psychological or financial abuse which might amount to criminal conduct and which takes place within the context of a relationship."

If you're experiencing domestic abuse, you have choices. You can:

report domestic abuse to the police
leave your home or get the person who is harming you to leave
talk about your options with someone from a support organisation (services are available for female and male victims).

After a crime you have rights – Victims Code for Scotland

Phone 0131 244 4227 to request the Victims' Code for Scotland in another language.

Whole Lives improving the response to domestic abuse in Scotland; Safe lives, March 2017

Police Scotland have a website and you can access this for information and to report offences, such as Domestic Abuse.

If you prefer to talk to someone; to contact Police call 101 for non-emergencies and 999 in an emergency. If you wish to be put through to a local Police Station you should ring 01786 289070.

Your Local Police Stations are as follows:

Campbeltown Police Station, Hazelbank Business Park, Campbeltown PA28 6AS
Clydebank Police Station (also for Helensburgh); 50 Montrose Street, Clydebank, G81 2QD
Dunoon Police Station, 1-3 Argyll Road, Dunoon PA23 8ES
Oban Police Station, Albany Street, Oban PA34 4AJ
Rothesay Police Station, 58 High Street, Rothesay, Isle of Bute PA20 9AZ.

Health

Minor Injuries and Accident & Emergency services are provided 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week in the following hospitals:

Campbeltown Hospital: 01586 552224
Dunoon General Hospital: 01369 704341
Islay Hospital: 01496 301010
Oban General Hospital: 01631 788912
Dunaros Hospital (Mull): 01680 300392
Victoria Hospital (Bute): 01700 501536
Mid Argyll Hospital: 01546 703000
NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24

Home-Start Lorn

Home-Start Lorn has been supporting families with young children throughout the whole of the Oban and North Argyll area, including the outlying villages since 1988 and on the Isle of Mull since 2016. Through our home-visiting volunteers we offer a unique service providing practical and emotional support to parents/carers with one or more children under 5.

Contacts

Tel: 01631 566749

Email: homestartlorn@btconnect.com

Facebook: Home-start Lorn - Facebook

Website: Home-Start Lorn

Social Work

Social Work can offer you unbiased, sympathetic, practical and emotional support in a safe and confidential setting.

Contact Numbers

Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm: 01546 605517

Emergency Out of Hours Service: 01631 566491 or 01631 569712

Council Text for all departments: 07860 023933

Send an online enquiry.

Housing

Find useful housing contact numbers here.

ASSIST

Advocacy, Support, Safety, Information, Services Together.

ASSIST is a specialist domestic abuse advocacy and support service focussed on reducing risk to and improving the safety of victims of domestic abuse. Its aim is to ensure that all victims of domestic abuse – women, children and men – are safe, informed and supported throughout their involvement with the criminal justice system. You can get support from ASSIST if you are the victim (female or male) of an incident of domestic abuse following which the police have been called, where your partner or ex-partner has been charged and the case go through court.

Most ASSIST referrals are received from Police Scotland, who should ask you if you want referred to ASSIST, where they attend an incident of domestic abuse and your partner or ex-partner has been charged. ASSIST also accept self-referrals or referrals from other agencies where there is a Domestic Abuse case going through a Court within the ASSIST service delivery area

Areas Covered

Glasgow, East and West Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Argyll & Bute, North & South Lanarkshire, East, North & South Ayrshire. For male clients only parts of Edinburgh

Contact Information

Tel: 0141 276 7710

Email: ASSIST@glasgow.gov.uk

Website: Assist Scotland

Address: GCSS. Eastgate, 727 London Road, Glasgow, G40 3AQ

GamCare

GamCare operates the National Gambling Helpline, providing information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling harms. Advisers are available 24 hours a day on Freephone 0808 8020 133 or via web chat at GamCare.

We also offer a range of free treatment (in person, online or over the phone) across England, Scotland and Wales, as well as a moderated Forum and daily chatrooms so that people can speak to others experiencing similar issues and seek support.

We also run GameChange, an online treatment course for those who are concerned about their gambling behaviour, supported by regular contact with a GamCare therapist. The course has been designed so you can work at your own pace, wherever is most convenient for you, over the course of eight weeks.

National Gambling Helpline: Freephone 0808 80 20 133

Website: GamCare

Email: info@gamcare.org.uk

Opening hours: Helpline 24 hours a day

Galop LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline

Galop works directly with thousands of LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence every year. We specialise in supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime, and other forms of abuse including honour-based abuse, forced marriage, and so-called conversion therapies. We are a service run by LGBT+ people, for LGBT+ people, and the needs of our community are at the centre of what we do.

Contact information

We run three national support helplines: one for LGBT+ victims and survivors of domestic abuse, one for LGBT+ people who have experienced hate crime, and the other for victims and survivors of so-called conversion therapies and practices. We provide advocacy services, both in London and nationally, for LGBT+ victims who need longer-term support.

Tel: 0800 999 5248

Email: info@galop.org.uk

Website: Galop

AMIS (Abused Men in Scotland)

AMIS is Scotland’s leading charity and helpline for male domestic abuse. Everyone is welcome to contact us for help. Helpline open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.

Contact information

Mayfield Farmhouse
5 Eskview House
Mayfield
Dalkeith
EH22 5EA

Tel: 0330949395

Email: support@amis.org.uk

Website: AMIS (Abused Men in Scotland)

Revenge Porn Helpline

The Revenge Porn Helpline supports all adult victims of intimate image abuse living in the UK. You can get in touch for free, confidential help and support.

Contact information

The Helpline can only support victims living in the UK who are over the age of 18. If you are under 18, please find more help and advice here.

Tel: 03456000459

Email: help@revengepornhelpline.org.uk

Website: Revenge Porn Helpline

The Revenge Porn Helpline supports all adult victims of intimate image abuse living in the UK. You can get in touch for free, confidential help and support.

Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline

Our helpline is here to support anyone experiencing domestic abuse or forced marriage, as well as their family members, friends, colleagues and professionals who support them. We provide a confidential, sensitive service to anyone who calls us. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Contact information

Tel: 0800 027 1234

Email: helpline@sdafmh.org.uk

Chat: SDAFMH (Scotland's Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline

Services

Domestic abuse