If you think you have been the target of domestic abuse and/or coercive control or Gender Based violence, it may be hard to know what to do or how to feel. What happened was not your fault. What you do next is your choice.
Such forms of unacceptable behaviour are contrary to the Equality Act 2010 and the GSA's Dignity and Respect at Work and Study Policy.
Such forms of unacceptable behaviour are contrary to the Equality Act 2010 and the GSA's Dignity and Respect at Work and Study Policy.
Think
- Are you in immediate danger? If you are in immediate danger or seriously injured, you can contact the emergency services on 999 (or 112 from a mobile phone).
- Find a safe space. If an incident has just happened try and find somewhere you feel safe.
- What are domestic abuse, coercive control and GBV? It might be useful to think about what is meant by domestic abuse and coercive control and how these behaviours are described.
Report
- Report and Support. Students and staff can report an incident using the GSA's Report and Support system. You can choose to do this anonymously or you can request support from an advisor. If you choose to talk to an advisor they will be able to talk through the options and support available to you, in confidence.
- GSA Procedure. If you choose to make a formal complaint to the GSA about a student or member of staff there are procedures which set out the steps you'll need to follow.
- There will be limits to GSA's ability to progress reports that involve criminal activity and we would always encourage and support Police involvement.
The NHS Scotland sexual assault self-referral phone service can help to arrange care for you in the days following a rape or sexual assault. The service may be able to arrange for you to have a forensic medical examination (FME) at a SARCS without making a report to the police https://www.nhsinform.scot/sarcs
Get Support
Get Support
Find out what support is available if you think you have been a victim of domestic abuse and/or coercive control or GBV:
- Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline offers live chat, email and a 24-hour helpline. Call 0800 027 1234.
- Victim Support offers phone, live chat, and other online support.
- As of May 2020, some pharmacies are offering safe spaces and support for victims of domestic abuse.
- See more support resources for female victims and male victims (mygov.scot)
- Scottish Women's Aid
- Galop - National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline 0800 999 5428
- Abused Men In Scotland (AMIS)
- Shakti Women's Aid - support for women, children and young people from minority ethnic background
- Hemat Gryffe - support for women, children and young people from minority ethnic background
- FearFree - support for people experiencing domestic abuse in Scotland who identify as a man or from the LGBT+ community
- Rape Crisis Scotland
- Archway - Sexual assault referral centre in Glasgow
- Sexual Assault Response Co-ordination Service (SARCS)
- SurvivorsUK - Support for men
- Victim Support Scotland
- Police Scotland
- Glasgow Rape Crisis
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Take care of yourself. It’s important that you take care of yourself. If you’ve heard something distressing or if something is troubling you, the GSA's Counselling Service offers confidential help to students. register online via: https://live.uniticms.com/gsamhw/ to request a counselling appointment.
If you are in immediate danger or are seriously injured, please call 999 (or 112 from a mobile).
If you need immediate support or feel in crisis, we have listed several emergency services contact details on GSA's external website that you may find helpful.
Students can access information on GSA's student services here
Staff can access information on GSA staff services here
Students and staff can also access support through: Papyrus Hopeline247 - Prevention of young suicide. This is a 24/7 service for young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, as well as for anyone who is concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide. Call 0800 068 41 41, text 07860039967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org to stay safe or to keep someone safe from suicide.