We might not like to think about it but any of us could become a victim or witness of a crime. Being a victim or witness of a crime can be a scary and difficult experience. For that reason, it’s important to know where to go for any support you need after a crime has taken place.
Remember, in an emergency call 999 or in a non-emergency call 101.
Getting The Support You Deserve
There is a range of support available to you if you have been the victim or witness of a crime. You also have the right to use victim support services even if the crime has not been reported to the police.
Victim Support Scotland supports people affected by crime throughout Scotland, providing free, independent and confidential support for victims, witnesses and their families. They can be contacted in a number of ways:
- Their helpline at 0800 160 1985 available 8am – 8pm Mon-Fri, and 10am – 4pm Sat-Sun
- Through their webchat service, 8am – 8pm Mon-Fri, 10am – 4pm Sat-Sun
- You can also fill out a self-referral form.
Other Places To Get Support
There are a number of other organisations that provide support to those in need across Scotland:
Abused Men in Scotland provide support to men affected by domestic abuse. You can also call if you are concerned about friends and family too.
- Call their free confidential helpline on 03300 949 395, available 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday
- Email them at support@amis.org.uk
Childline provides a free, confidential helpline and online support for children and young people up to age 19 in the UK. They offer support and guidance on a wide range of issues, including mental and emotional health, family relationships, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts.
- Their free and confidential helpline is available 24/7 on 0800 1111
- Visit their website for a digital chat or send them an email.
There are lots of ways to get support from Childline if you’re deaf. You can have a 1-2-1 chat, send an email to a counsellor or use BSL via an interpreter.
Childline can only talk to you in English or Welsh, but you can use their accessibility tool to translate the website into lots of different languages.
National Stalking Helpline provides support with a specific focus on stalking and harassment.
- Call their free helpline on 0808 802 0300, available 9:30am – 8:00pm Monday & Wednesday and 9:30am – 4:00pm Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
- Email them at advice@stalkinghelpline.org
BSL interpreters are also available via their website.
PETAL Support provides free counselling and bereavement support to anyone affected by homicide, culpable homicide, and suicide in Scotland. Their services include one-on-one counselling, other therapies, and practical and emotional support.
- Call their helpline on 01698 324502
- Email them at info@petalsupport.com
Rape Crisis Scotland offer support, information and advice for victims of rape and sexual abuse.
- Call their helpline on 08088 01 03 02
- Email them at support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone with experience of domestic abuse or forced marriage, as well as their family members and friends who support them.
- Call their free helpline on 0800 027 1234 or text them on 07401 288 595
- Email them at helpline@sdafmh.org.uk
- Chat online at www.sdafmh.org.uk/en/contact-us/
Support is available in your preferred language through a confidential interpreting service. You will be asked to hold, or they will call you back so they can get an interpreter on the line. British Sign Language (BSL) users can make contact through Contact Scotland BSL.
Scottish Women’s Aid ensure women and children who have experienced domestic abuse get the services they need.
- Call their helpline on 0131 226 6606
- Email them at info@womensaid.scot
Being victim of a crime of any kind can be a scary event and might even affect your mental health. If you feel that you may be experiencing trauma you might want to take a look at our article on getting support for PTSD.
Your Right To Information
Depending on the circumstance of the investigation and proceedings you should have access to relevant information at an early stage and at any appropriate points in the process.
Do you have any more questions about contacting or reporting crime to the Police? Check our page with Police Scotland to find out more.