Resources for: Gender Based Violence/Abuse and Age 12-17
‘There is one universal truth, applicable to all countries, cultures and communities: violence against women is never acceptable, never excusable, never tolerable.’ United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon.
Women, children and men can all be victims of violence. There is a a national focus on taking action on all forms of violence against women and girls. By this we mean the violent and abusive behaviour carried out predominantly by men directed at women and girls precisely because of their gender. Behaviour that stems from systemic, deep-rooted women’s inequality, and which includes domestic abuse, rape, sexual assault, commercial sexual exploitation (like prostitution), and so called ‘honour based’ violence like female genital mutilation and forced marriage. Reference
Breathing Space
Breathing Space is a free, confidential phoneline for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 who is feeling low, anxious or depressed.
Helpline number: 0800 83 85 87
Web: https://breathingspace.scot/
AMIS (Abused Men in Scotland)
AMIS supports men who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse. It runs a national helpline and its website has resources for men at risk and their workers.
Helpline number: 03300 949 395 Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm
Web: www.abusedmeninscotland.org/
ASSIST
ASSIST Scotland is a specialist support service for adults, children, and young people affected by domestic abuse where a partner or ex-partner is involved in criminal proceedings. The service works in close partnership with Police Scotland and local authorities across multiple council areas, helping to reduce risk and support recovery.Their aim is to ensure that all victims of domestic abuse, regardless of gender, age or ethnicity are safe, informed and supported throughout their involvement with the criminal justice system.
Phone: 0141 276 7710
Web: www.assistscotland.org.uk/
CARA (challenging and responding to abuse)
A free, confidential service providing support to women, children and young people who have experienced or been exposed to domestic abuse, sexual abuse, rape and sexual assault. It provides up to 12 person-centred counselling appointments, which aim to create a safe and non-judgemental space where women, children and young people can make sense of their story and understand themselves better.
Phone: 0141 562 8800
Web: https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/emergencies/domestic-abuse/children-and-young-people/local-services/
CEDAR (children experiencing domestic abuse recovery)
A therapeutic group‑work programme for children aged 4‑16 and their mothers, designed to provide a safe space to explore feelings and rebuild family connections through guided activities over 10–12 weeks. Self-referral and agency referrals both welcomed.
Phone: 0141 562 8870
Web: www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/emergencies/domestic-abuse/children-and-young-people/
Crisis Counselling (Erskine Counselling)
Crisis Counselling offers free counselling therapy to children and young people in West Dunbartonshire aged 10 and over experiencing emotional and mental health difficulties. Referral through Education services.
Adults can self-refer with a cost for affordable mental health support. Support is available face-to-face or online to help with issues like anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Web: www.crisiscounselling.co.uk/
Police Scotland
Police Scotland's website has an Advice and Information page. Included are pages on:
- child abuse
- counter terrorism
- domestic abuse
- drugs (harm prevention)
- hate crime
- internet safety
- online student safety guide
- rape and sexual crime
- safe nights out
- stalking
- victims and witnesses
Web: https://www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/
Galop
The UK’s specialist LGBT+ anti-abuse charity, providing free, confidential support, advocacy and helplines for LGBT+ people who have experienced domestic abuse, hate crime, sexual violence, “conversion therapy” or other forms of abuse.
Also contains a range of downloadable resources on a range of topics affecting LGBT+ people.
Helpline number: 0800 9995428
Web: www.galop.org.uk/
Jewish Women's Aid
Jewish Women's Aid is the only specialist organisation in the UK supporting Jewish women and and girls aged 14+ affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence, offering confidential support, therapy, and advocacy.
Web: www.jwa.org.uk/
LGBT Foundation
supports LGBTQ+ people with advice, guidance, and services on health, wellbeing, and social issues. They provide resources, community connections, and advocacy to promote equality and inclusion.
Phone: 0345 3 30 30 30
Web: www.lgbt.foundation/
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Provides free, confidential support for anyone in the UK experiencing domestic abuse. The website offers practical advice, safety planning, and access to a 24/7 helpline where individuals can talk to trained professionals, get support, and learn about their options.
Helpline number: 0808 2000 247
Web: www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
Rape Crisis Scotland
Helpline number: 08088 01 03 02
Web: www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/
SafeCall
Safecall can help if you are thinking about running away, if you have already run away, or if you have been away and come back. You can also contact if you are worried that someone else is going to run away or if they are being treated badly or abused.
Helpline number: call or text 116 000
Web: https://safecall.org.uk/
Samaritans
Helpline number: 116123
Web: www.samaritans.org
Scottish Women's Rights Centre
Helpline number: 08088 010 789
Web: www.scottishwomensrightscentre.org.uk/
SHOUT Crisis text service
Shout is a free, confidential 24/7 mental health text service for anyone in the UK who is struggling to cope. By texting SHOUT to 85258, users are connected with a trained volunteer who offers calm, non‑judgemental support through difficult moments.
Shout also offers PeerChat for 16–25‑year‑olds, connecting young people with trained peer supporters their own age for additional youth‑focused mental health support.
Helpline number: 85258 free text support service
Web: www.giveusashout.org/
The Mix
The Mix is a UK based charity that provides free, confidential support for young people under 25 via online, social and mobile.
Phone: 0808 808 4994
Web: www.themix.org.uk/
Women's Aid - Scotland
Information and support on all aspects of domestic abuse.
Phone: 0800 027 1234
Web: www.womensaid.scot/
Hematt Gryffe Women's Aid
Safe temporary accommodation and culturally sensitive support for women, children, and young people.
Phone: 0141 353 0859
Web: www.hematgryffe.org.uk/
NSPCC
Dedicated to keeping children and young people safe, the NSPCC website offers clear, supportive advice for children, parents, carers and professionals on staying safe, spotting concerns and getting help. It also provides access to free, confidential support services like Childline and the NSPCC Helpline, so no one has to face worries alone. You can also send an email or complete a 'report abuse online' form at any time for free via the website. You don’t have to say who you are.
Helpline number: 0808 800 5000 10am-4pm Monday - Friday
Web: https://www.nspcc.org.uk
West Dunbartonshire Violence Against Women and Girls Partnership
West Dunbartonshire’s Violence against Women Partnership is a multiagency mechanism that works collaboratively to provide support to all victims of Gender-Based Violence and reduce its prevalence in the area. If you, or someone you know, are experiencing Domestic Abuse or other forms of GBV, we have resources and support services in the area. You can find more information on local specialist services and national resources on our website.
Web: http://www.wdhscp.org.uk/violence-against-women-and-girls/?
Shameless Youths
Web: https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/community/shameless-youths
FollowIt App
A free, secure app for people experiencing stalking in Scotland. It helps you record incidents safely, keep the information off your phone, and request a report if you choose to share it with the police or for legal support.
Web: https://followitapp.org.uk/?
Hollie Guard app
A free personal safety app from the Hollie Gazzard Trust. It lets you discreetly send an alert by shaking your phone or tapping a button that shares your location and live audio/video with your emergency contacts. Features include journey tracking, meeting timers, fall detection, and “stealth” or “deterrent” modes to help you stay safe in risky situations.
Web: https://hollieguard.com/
TapSOS app
A free, non-verbal emergency app for the UK. It lets people who can’t or shouldn’t speak, such as those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or in unsafe situations quickly contact the four emergency services (police, ambulance, fire, coastguard). You tap icons to send your location and medical information directly to 999 call handlers via SMS.
Web: https://tapsos.com/
Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline (SDAFMH)
Helpline number: 0800 027 1234 Text / WhatsApp: 07401288595
Web: https://www.sdafmh.org.uk/en/
Young Woman's Movement
Web: https://youngwomenscot.org/