Robert MacFarlane recently said, “perhaps we shouldn’t think of books as saving the world, but rather as catalyzing uncountable small unknown acts of good.” I don’t see why short stories shouldn’t do the same. So, if it’s okay, I’d like to ask a small favour.
CW: Domestic Abuse.
When I heard that ‘The Anniversary’ had been nominated for a British Fantasy Award, I made myself a promise that, regardless of what happened, I’d pick a domestic abuse charity and make a small donation. As charities supporting victims of domestic abuse and its impacts tend to focus on supporting specific vulnerable groups, I’ve compiled a list of charities across the UK and Ireland, cribbed from other charity groups. If you do have some spare change this week, please check out the list below and make a contribution if you can (or, if you can’t, why not share this list with others?).
Thank you.
SCOTLAND
(Taken from Shelter Scotland, but have updated the links.)
Support for women experiencing domestic abuse
Rape Crisis Scotland
Free, confidential information and support for girls and women who have undergone sexual abuse at any time in their lives.
https://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
SAY Women
SAY Women is a voluntary organisation which offers safe and secure accommodation for young women who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse, rape or sexual assault and who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.
https://www.say-women.co.uk
Scottish Women’s Aid
Women’s Aid provides information, advice and support to women undergoing emotional and/or physical abuse. Women’s Aid refuges, located across Scotland, offer a safe, supportive environment for women who wish to leave abusive partners, and also for their children.
https://womensaid.scot
Help for black and minority ethnic women
Hemat Gryffe Women’s Aid
Hemat Gryffe Women’s Aid provides support and practical help to Asian, black and ethnic minority women who have suffered mental and physical harassment and abuse either from the partner, ex-partner or within the extended family system. They are based in Glasgow and their services include a drop-in centre and refuge. Hermat Gryffe have a 24-hour emergency helpline 0141 353 0859.
http://www.hematgryffe.org.uk
Amina
The Muslim Women’s Resource Centre offers a range of support services. You can call their free helpline 0808 801 301 and on Fridays there is an Imam you can speak to on the helpline. They have offices n Glasgow and Dundee. The languages spoken are Arabic, Bangla, English, Swahili and Urdu.
Really long link here, so just click!
Muslim Community Helpline
The Muslim Community Helpline aims to provide any Muslim girl or woman in a crisis with a free, confidential listening service and referral to Islamic consultants, plus practical help and information where required.
Tel: 020 8904 8193 or 020 8908 6715.
http://muslimcommunityhelpline.org.uk
Shakti Women’s Aid
This Edinburgh based service run by black women offers advice, information, counselling, support and temporary accommodation for black and minority ethnic women and their children escaping domestic violence. Workers can provide information on housing, benefits, legal issues, immigration, nationality, racial harassment and health. Their support services are available across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife, Central Belt and Tayside. Languages spoken include Arabic, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Singhalese, Swahili and Urdu. You can contact them on 0131 475 2399.
http://shaktiedinburgh.co.uk
Help for men experiencing domestic abuse
Men’s Advice Line
Support and advice for men experiencing domestic abuse.
http://www.mensadviceline.org.uk
Survivors UK
Survivors UK provides support and resources for men who have been sexually abused or raped or experienced any form of sexual violence.
https://www.survivorsuk.org
Help for LBGT people experiencing domestic abuse
National LGBT Domestic Abuse Helpline
Support services and advice for lesbian, bisexual, gay and transsexual people experiencing domestic abuse.
http://www.galop.org.uk
Help for perpetrators of domestic violence
Everyman Project
Counselling project that helps men who are being abusive towards their partners to learn to control their behaviour.
http://www.everymanproject.co.uk
Help for young people
The Hideout
Information for children and young people affected by domestic abuse.
http://thehideout.org.uk
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ENGLAND AND WALES
(Taken from MIND)
Domestic violence – support for women
Refuge
helpline: 0808 2000 247 (freephone 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline run with Women’s Aid)
helpline@refuge.org.uk
refuge.org.uk
Women’s Aid (England)
helpline: 0808 2000 247 (freephone 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline run with Refuge)
helpline@womensaid.org.uk
The National Domestic Violence Helpline only offers limited information by email as they don’t have the resources to provide ongoing support or in-depth information in this way. When you email the Helpline specify when and if it is safe to respond and to which email address.
womensaid.org.uk
Welsh Women’s Aid
helpline: 0808 80 10 800
welshwomensaid.org.uk
Domestic violence – support for men
Men’s Advice Line
helpline: 0808 801 0327 (Mon to Fri: 9am to 5pm)
info@mensadviceline.org.uk
mensadviceline.org.uk
Confidential helpline for all men (in heterosexual or same-sex relationships) experiencing domestic violence by a current or ex-partner.
Domestic violence – support for black and minority ethnic groups
Ashiana Sheffield
helpline: 0114 255 5740
info@ashianasheffield.org.uk
ashianasheffield.org
Aims to help prevent murder and serious harm to black, Asian, minority ethnic and refugee women in England, Wales and Scotland as a result of domestic abuse and forced marriage and ‘honour’-based violence. Also supports children and young people.
Domestic violence – help for people who inflict violence
Respect
Respect phoneline: 0808 802 4040 (Mon to Fri: 9am to 5pm)
info@respectphoneline.org.uk
respectphoneline.org.uk
Runs support services and programmes for people who inflict violence in relationships, including young men and women. Also runs the men’s advice line, as above.
Domestic violence – support for young people
Respect not fear
respectnotfear.co.uk
Website for young people about domestic violence.
The Hide Out
thehideout.org.uk
Women’s Aid website to help young people understand domestic abuse, and how to take positive action if it’s happening to them.
Domestic violence and forced marriage
The Forced Marriage Unit
020 7008 0151
fmu@fco.gov.uk
gov.uk/forced-marriage
Joint initiative between the Foreign Office and Home Office. It assists actual and potential victims of forced marriage, as well as professionals working in the social, educational and health sectors.
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IRELAND
WhatWouldYouDo.ie has a ruddy amazing page that breaks down advice lines by area (including single county services). I’m only going to highlight a few wider services, but please feel free to check out that website for any local services you’d rather donate to.
Women’s Aid (NI)
https://www.womensaidni.org
Women’s Aid
https://www.womensaid.ie
Men’s Advisory Project (NI)
http://www.mapni.co.uk
Amen (Domestic abuse against men)
http://www.amen.ie
Safe Ireland
https://www.safeireland.ie