Services for Victims
These services are about supporting people who have been affected by crime and offending behaviour.
Your experience does not necessarily have to be from a reported incident, many services are accessible through self referral and do not require you to have reported anything to the Police or for your case to have been proven before you can access support.
Examples of the sorts of services victims of offending may need:
- 1-1 counselling or befriending services
- Support for attending court
- Managing your on going safety
- Peer support
Next Chapter Scotland
Next Chapter Scotland is here for anyone in Scotland who’s affected by the criminal justice system — whether that’s through a conviction, an ongoing investigation, or the impact on a loved one. We offer non-judgemental, rights-based support to help people navigate the stigma, isolation and barriers that too often come with justice involvement. Advice is provided via our helpline (including email and text/WhatsApp), our information website and our mutual support Facebook group. We support people with their own convictions or with a family member with a conviction, and we work with people related to all offence categories without exception.
Victim Support Scotland
Victim Support Scotland provides victims and witnesses with free confidential, emotional and practical support, and information about the criminal justice system.
No one expects to be a victim of crime, but it can happen to anyone. Victim Support Scotland helps provides information, emotional support and practical assistance to help people affected by crime, including victims, witnesses and their families and friends.
RASASH (Rape & Sexual Abuse Service Highland)
RASASH provides free, confidential support and information to anyone affected by sexual violence in Highland (age 13+). This includes survivors of sexual violence and their non-abusing partners, friends, and families. We support all genders – women, men, non-binary, and trans. We also develop and deliver training and workshops to schools, youth groups, and professionals on a range of topics related to sexual violence and gender equality. This, alongside our youth-led campaigning, is part of our work to change societal attitudes which contribute to sexual violence and the shaming of survivors.
Phone: 03330 066909
Text: 07451 288080
Our support line is open:
Monday 9.30am – 1pm
Tuesday 1pm – 4.30pm
Wednesday 9.30pm – 1pm
Thursday 1pm – 4.30pm
Friday 9.30am – 1pm
ACI Recovery Services
We offer free, one-to-one, specialist addictions counselling, group recovery therapies, and recovery coaching. Additionally, we provide CRAFT training for family members affected by addiction, risk-taking workshops, and mindfulness programs. Our services are rooted in person-centred counselling and humanistic psychotherapy models. All services are available to individuals and families dealing with addiction issues. Eligibility criteria include residing in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey or Easter Ross areas and a commitment to actively engage in the recovery process.
We also provide counselling online into HMP Inverness for people on remand, as well as support their recovery cafes.
Citizens Advice Bureau
Citizens Advice Bureaux are local, independent charities that provide free and confidential advice and information whoever you are and whatever your problem. Find your local Bureau using the link below
Civil Legal Assistance Office Highlands & Islands
The Civil Legal Assistance Office can help you with civil law problems in our core areas of work – Housing/Homelessness, certain Money/debt/welfare issues, Child Protection/Children’s Hearings, certain Family law, Mental Health/AWI and Vulnerable Adult Protection. We can represent you with expert civil legal advice if you are eligible for legal aid and resident in the Highland and Islands. We also operate a referral service to other providers of legal assistance when we cannot assist, and offer second tier support and training to advice organisations.
Inverness Women’s Aid
Since 1979, we support women, young people and children in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey who are or have experienced domestic abuse. We provide refuge accommodation when this is required or support in finding suitable accommodation. Our Women’s Support Workers can assist in a number of areas such as applying for benefits or money matters, we provide advocacy and support at meetings with agencies such as Police, Social Work and GP appointments, we provide emotional support and we can help you obtain legal advice. This list is varied as we tailor our support for the individual we are working with. We also have a small team of Family Support Workers who can provide support to mothers with their children, and young adults. This can be anything from parenting support, work one to one with children and can also attending meetings with schools, social work or such like.
Lochaber Hope
Lochaber Hope is a person-centred organisation primarily offering counselling, mentoring, employability services and volunteering opportunities to all persons, regardless of backgrounds or needs within the Lochaber area. Based in Fort William, Lochaber Hope also supports The Workshop Studios and the Fort William Community Hub (New Connections) to help encourage and foster relationships within the Lochaber community. Lochaber Hope would like to extend warmth and understanding to all persons and their families who have been involved with the justice system.
Ross-shire, Skye & Lochalsh Women’s Aid
We offer free, confidential and impartial advice and support to those affected by domestic abuse in Ross-shire, Skye and Lochalsh. We can help by providing; • Support to identify risks and create safety plans. • Consider housing options and provide refuge. • Signpost to access legal and financial support and advice. • Emotional support to rebuild confidence and self-esteem. • Identify tactics used in domestic abuse and learn about how these actions affect the health and wellbeing of victims. • Listen and being there for those experiencing domestic abuse. We also have specialist Children and Young People Practitioners who can help work through difficult emotions and listen to the concerns of young people. Anyone can refer to our service including young people over the age of 13. To speak with someone call 01349 863568 or email info@rosswa.co.uk
Lochaber Women’s Aid
Lochaber Women’s Aid provide practical and emotional support for women, children and young people affected by domestic abuse.