We are committed to treating everyone with dignity, fairness and respect, to positive communication and to providing a high-quality service to members of the public. We understand that there may be circumstances which make engaging with our processes difficult and this page is intended to signpost people to other organisations that may be able to support them in engaging with us.
Support contacts and advocacy
There are a large number of factors that can impact our mental health, which can be related to any aspect of our lives. There are a number of organisations that can provide support. Some of these are general in nature, while others focus on specific groups.
If you or someone you know is at immediate risk of suicide, call 999.
Samaritans - 116 123
NHS24 - 111 (999 in an emergency)
Breathing Space - 0800 83 85 87
Childline - 0800 1111
Text Shout to 85258
PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide - 0800 068 4141
Men Matter Scotland - 0141 944 7900
Scotland's Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline - 0800 027 1234
LGBT Health and Wellbeing - 0800 464 7000
When you have experienced a crime, you may want to talk to professional advisors to get help. Some organisations offer support across a wide range of issues, others focus on specific crimes or victim groups.
Victim Support Scotland
Amina – Muslim Women’s Resource Centre
Minority Ethnic Victim Support Services (MEVSS)
Roshni -For victims and potential victims of domestic abuse, forced marriage and honour-based crime. Includes support for children.
Shakti Women’s Aid
Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland
People Experiencing Trauma and Loss (PETAL)
Victim Support Scotland- Support for Families Bereaved by Crime service
The Moira Fund - Helping those traumatically bereaved by the murder or manslaughter of a loved one.
The Manda Centre - Support centre for families and friends affected by trauma, loss, and personal crisis.
Barnardo’s
Childline
Children 1st Parentline
NSPCC - The UK children’s charity
Stop it Now - Helping prevent child sexual abuse. Supports adults wanting to change their behaviour or concerned about a child. Also adults who were abused as children.
Abused Men in Scotland (AMIS)
FearFree - Support for people who identify as a man or from the LGBT+ community and experience domestic abuse in Scotland.
Galop - The LGBT+ anti-violence charity runs an AI chatbot service called Flag. It also operates a domestic abuse survivor’s forum.
Hemat Gryffe - Provides refuge accommodation, outreach and follow on services primarily to women, children and young people from the Asian, Black, and Minority Ethnic community experiencing domestic abuse, forced marriage and honour abuse.
Respect: Men’s advice line
Respect UK - Works with perpetrators of abuse, male victims, and young people who use violence and abuse.
Scotland’s domestic abuse and forced marriage helpline
Scottish Women's Aid
National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC)
NHS Scotland sexual assault self-referral phone service
Rape Crisis Scotland helpline
Safer Scotland - Help for victims of intimate image abuse. This is where people share or threaten to share intimate images without your consent. This includes so-called ‘revenge porn’.
Say Women - Supporting homeless, sexually abused, young women. Offers safe, semi-supported accommodation and emotional support.
Speak Out Scotland (SCIO) - Free, open-ended complex trauma therapy for male survivors of childhood sexual abuse (Non-offenders only.)
Action Against Stalking
Suzy Lamplugh Trust- National Stalking Helpline
Scottish Women’s Rights Centre
Women’s Support Project - Rights and choices programme befriends and finds work for abused migrant women.
Motor Insurers’ Bureau - Support and compensation for victims of a motor terrorism event.
Individuals and families may encounter circumstances or processes that are difficult to navigate. The organisations below provide support for those seeking assistance with neurodiversity-related needs.
Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA) is the national intermediary organisation supporting, promoting and advocating for independent advocacy.
Independent advocacy is about speaking up for an individual or group. It's a way to help people have a strong voice and have as much control as possible over their own lives.
Some people can access free independent advocacy support to help them have their views heard.
You can use the Find an Advocate tool on the SIAA website to see what is available in your local area. Here you may be able to find organisations who can support you to engage with PIRC. This could be part of an investigation or complaints handling review.
Please note, SIAA does not provide independent advocacy itself.