Police Scotland help to provide guidance on what to do if you feel you are in immediate danger. In an emergency always dial 999.

People who are Deaf, hard of hearing or have issues communicating verbally can use the SMS 999 text system (you must register for this service).

Police Scotland also have systems to support victims/survivors of Relationship Abuse - Domestic abuse - Police Scotland

INDEPENDENT SPECIALIST SUPPORT:

There are a large number of support services, including local services, you can call or visit who you can talk with about what has happened to you.

Scotland's Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline - Provides confidential information and support to anyone affected by forced marriage or domestic abuse. Helpline: 0800 027 1234 (24 hour service) 

Grampian Women's Aid - Grampian Women’s Aid offers a free, confidential and non-judgemental service to women, children and young people in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire who have experienced domestic abuse. Phone: 01224 593381

Scottish Women's Aid - Provides advice, support and safe accommodation for women (and their children) who have been abused by their partner or ex-partner. Helpline: 0800 027 1234

Aberdeen Cyrenians - Projects offer 1 to 1 support to women, helping them to build the confidence to make positive changes in their lives and supports them to gain safe accommodation. Helpline: 0300 303 0903

Victim Support Scotland - Provides information and support for victims and witnesses of crime. Helpline: 0800 160 1985  (8am-8pm, Mon-Fri) 

AMIS (Abused Men in Scotland) - Supports men who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse. Helpline: 03300949395

Men's Advice Line - For men experiencing domestic abuse from their current or ex-partner. Helpline: 0808 801 0327

AMINA - Helpline for Scotland providing support to women from minority backgrounds who have been affected by violence against women. Helpline: 0808 801 0301

Scottish Women’s Rights Centre Advocacy Support Helpline - Helpline: 08088 010 789

Further support can be found here

Witnessing violence or abuse

Being a bystander is similar to witnessing something, it is a person who does not directly experience an event but is there at the time. Witnessing an event can have a number of differing effects on a person and can depend upon an individual as well as the individual circumstances of the event. Sometimes witnessing an event can have similar effects as the person who experienced the event. When supporting someone who has experienced a traumatic event, hearing about the event can have an effect on the individual called vicarious or secondary trauma. This can lead to a range of mental, physical and emotional problems being experienced.

The NHS provide guidance on coping with stress following a major incident, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists provide further information about coping after a traumatic event.

There are two ways you can tell us what happened