Concerned for someone's immediate safety - What to do

If someone you know is in immediate danger and need help, call 999.

Domestic Abuse

If you're worried about someone experiencing domestic abuse (or have witnessed it) or the safety of a child, you can report it by:

Calling 999 or 101 or contacting your local police station.

For more information see link

Alternatively you can contact:

Dundee Women’s Aid - Support Line: 01382 207099
Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri, 9:30am - 12:30pm & 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Thurs 9:30am - 12:30pm

24 hour Scottish Domestic Abuse/Forced Marriage Helpline - 0800 0271234

See this link for more information.

This website from England gives good advice about making a safety plan (just make sure you use the Scottish helpline numbers above.

This is an excellent booklet from the Safe and Together Institute which talks about how to support a lived one who may be experiencing domestic abuse.

Sexual Violence

If possible, support the person concerned to have any injuries treated by thier doctor or at a hospital.

If there is a possibility of pregnancy they may want to take the morning after pill (up to 72 hours after) or have a coil fitted (up to 5 days after). To do this, they should go to thier Family Planning Clinic or GP.

They can visit the Tayside Sexual & Reproductive Health Service at Ninewells Hospital (01382 425542) and Angus Sexual & Reproductive Health Clinic (01382 425 542) offers fully confidential treatment. They do not need a letter from their doctor.

If they want to report what has happened contact the Police. If they require a forensic examination, this will be organised for them at the specialist centre, otherwise they will be taken to the local police station where thier statement would be taken.

If they do not report the incident they could be supported to access the Sexual Assault Referral Network (SARN).

The Sexual Assault Referral Network (SARN) in Tayside has extended its opening hours to support people who have been raped or sexually assaulted.

The SARN offers a self-referral service to people who have been raped or sexually assaulted but do not want to report it to the Police. To provide support, the network has extended its opening hours and has now set up a dedicated phone-line which is available every day until midnight.

The dedicated phone line - 0300 365 2001 - allows people to directly contact a Rape Crisis Helpline worker who will offer initial support and contact to the Forensic and Custody Nurses in Tayside.

Callers are offered support, access to health services, such as emergency contraception and screening for sexually transmitted infections. They are also offered the option of the collection and storage of forensic evidence, should they decide to report to the police at a later time.

This is available to anyone if they are 16 years old or over and have been raped or sexually assaulted within the last 7 days.

Reporting sexual violence to police can be an overwhelming prospect. Locally, WRASAC can support people through the process and can attend court with people if their case goes to court.

Please see these useful guides for more information:

Reporting sexual abuse

WRASAC

Harmful Practices

Forced Marriage Protection Orders were introduced in the Forced Marriage etc. (Protection and Jurisdiction) (Scotland) Act 2011. These aim to protect those being forced to marry, or those already in a forced marriage.

Forcing someone into a marriage became a criminal offence in the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Please see links for more information:

Forced marriage

Forced marriage unit

FGM

The Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Act 2005 (external site) made it a criminal offence to have FGM carried out in Scotland or abroad.

In 2016, the Scottish Government released the national action plan to prevent and eradicate FGM.

The national action plan is supported by multi-agency guidance on responding to FGM (external site) which provides information for health workers and agencies. Please see link  for more information.

You can contact the 24 hour Scottish Domestic Abuse/Forced Marriage Helpline - 0800 0271234

Shakti Women's Aid helps BME women, children, and young people experiencing, or who have experienced, domestic abuse from a partner, ex-partner, and/ or other members of the household- Dundee: 01382 207 095

Amina Helpline - The Helpline is a listening ear and signposting service for Muslim women across Scotland. We run the Helpline Monday to Friday – 10am – 4pm for any Muslim-identified women, and on Wednesdays from 6pm – 9pm for young Muslims women (ages 16-25). It is free from mobiles and landlines and will not appear on your phone bill. All calls are strictly confidential and non-judgemental; we always deal with clients in a faith and culturally-sensitive manner.

Stalking

If you think someone is being stalked or is suffering harassment, please encourage them to report their concerns to Police Scotland at thier local police station, via 101, online or via 999 if it is an emergency. 

You can access the online stalking form to report an incident of stalking that has occurred within Scotland.

Practical Safety Advice:    

• Report it to the police
• Do not interact with the person stalking you.                                                            
• Take a mobile telephone with you when you go out.
• Have your keys ready for when you reach your front door
• Consider fitting a home alarm system or carrying a personal attack alarm.
• Make your online life more secure by changing your passwords regularly, heighten your privacy settings and do not share personal information with a stranger.  
• Activate a pin or password on your mobile devices.
• Turn off GPS and locating tagging on your mobile devices. 
• If you become aware that you are being followed, make your way to a public place, commercial premises (such as a retail shop) or your nearest police station.