Attendees at Fight for the Night 2019. Photo credit: Andrew Perry.

SUPPORT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

Gender-based violence describes any form of harm perpetrated against an individual or group which disproportionately impacts one gender. 

You can find out more about the forms gender-based violence can take here.

Gender-based violence can come from strangers or people you know well, including sexual or romantic partners.  

Instances of gender-based violence are not always explicitly or physically violent, but their impact is always harmful.  

Some factors – from your immigration status, to working as a sex worker, or financial hardship – can make you more vulnerable to experiencing sexual and/or gender-based violence, and make it harder to access support.  

Regardless of your identity, or the context in which an incident occurred, gender-based violence is never the fault of the person experiencing it, and you are entitled to support. There is a range of support available to you from within the University community and from external organisations. 

Students’ Association support

• The Advice Place is a free, impartial, confidential, and non-judgemental advice service, run by the Students’ Association. Their trained caseworkers can offer information and advice on accessing support, within the University and external organisations; reporting gender-based violence to the University and/or Police; and navigating the impact your experience is having on your physical and mental health, housing, finances, or studies. Their caseworkers can also support you through the reporting process, including helping you draft statements and attending meetings alongside you. The Advice Place will not discuss your visit or contact, or anything you tell them, with anyone outside the service – including staff and services at the University – without your permission, except in exceptional circumstances, which you can read about here. You can contact the Advice Place via email, phone, or in-person. 

University support 

• The Equally Safe team is a specialist team, based within the University’s Wellbeing Service. They offer support and advice for those who have been affected by sexual and gender-based violence, and you can contact them here. You can also access support via Report+Support, the University’s platform for reporting any form of bullying, harassment, discrimination or violence. 

• The University’s Student Counselling Service offers free, confidential 1-2-1 therapy and email counselling to all University of Edinburgh students, as well as workshops on topics related to mental health such as sleep and anxiety. All staff within the Student Counselling Service are experienced at supporting students who have experienced sexual and/or gender-based violence, and can support you in navigating the impact your experience is having on your mental health and wellbeing. You can contact the Student Counselling Service here. 

• The University’s Chaplaincy run a confidential and non-judgemental Listening Service – open to students of all faiths and none – that offers appointments from 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday, and is available outside of these hours via the University’s Security team. The Listening Service is staffed by Chaplains and Chaplaincy Listeners who can provide a supportive space for you to talk through anything that is on your mind, as well as signposting to specialist support services. You can contact the Listening Service here. 

External services 

• Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre: Available on 07966 067 301 or 0131 556 9437, Edinburgh Rape Crisis is a local and specialist agency supporting survivors of sexual violence.  

• The National Stalking Helpline: Available on 0808 802 0300, the National Stalking Helpline offers information and advice regarding stalking, including gathering evidence and reporting.  

• National Ugly Mugs: National Ugly Mugs is a charity offering resources and support to sex workers who have experienced violence; you can speak to one of their caseworkers on 0161 629 9861. 

• Revenge Porn Helpline: Available on 0345 600 0459, the Revenge Porn Helpline can offer support if you have experienced image-based sexual abuse.  

• Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline: Available on 0800 027 1234, SDAFMH can provide information and support to anyone impacted by domestic abuse.  

• Shakti Women’s Aid: Available on 0131 475 2399, Shakti Women’s Aid provide information and support to Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) women who have experienced domestic abuse.  

• SurvivorsUK: Available via text at 020 3322 1860, SurvivorsUK specialise in supporting men who have experienced sexual violence. 

For full details of support services available locally and nationally for those who have experienced gender-based violence, like Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre and the NHS Scotland’s Sexual Assault phone service, visit the University’s webpage here.