Helplines in Scotland.

Are you experiencing sexual abuse, assault or harassment? Contact a free hotline in Scotland for confidential support

Sexual abuse is a form sexual violence where a person uses power or coercion to force you into unwanted sexual activity. You can be a victim of sexual abuse if you are a woman, man or child. Other forms of sexual violence are sexual assault, such as rape, and sexual harassment, which is sexual behaviour toward you that is unwelcome or offensive.

If you’re struggling with sexual abuse, assault or harassment, there are 2 hotlines in Scotland you can contact. Everyone’s experience is unique, as well as the path towards recovery. However, hotline volunteers could help you for free if you are experiencing or have experienced:

Examples of sexual violence:

• An organ or an object being put into your vagina (rape), or anus or mouth (sodomy), without your consent
• Rape by more than one person (gang rape) or rape by the same person over a period of time (serial rape)
• Being coerced, threatened or forced to perform any sort of sexual activity
• Repeated unwanted sexual attention or advances, including in your workplace or by your employer
• Sexual abuse or assault from someone in your family (incest)
• Being kissed or touched without your consent or being made, by coercion or force, to touch or kiss someone
• Sexual photos or videos being posted online without your consent
• Being filmed or photographed nude or in a sexually explicit way without your permission

Effects of sexual violence:

• Bursts of fear, anxiety, and panic
• Feeling depressed and hopeless, with suicidal thoughts
• Changes (either loss or increase) in your appetite
• Feeling as if everyone could see what happened to you
• Feeling edgy and fearful, especially around people who resemble the abuser in any way
• Losing trust in people in general
• Not being able to fall or stay asleep
• An urge to use alcohol, drugs, or gamble excessively

Everyone responds to experiencing sexual violence differently. It’s perfectly normal to go through very different emotions in a single day. Still, trying to cope with this on your own can be extremely difficult.

When you’re on your path to surviving sexual violence and its aftermath, it helps to know that there are people who can relate. People in Scotland who went through similar experiences could make your recovery easier and quicker.

If you feel like you might need support with your experience of sexual violence, try reaching out to a hotline in Scotland. It's free and confidential.