POLICE, EMERGENCY, COMMUNITY SAFETY
For further contact with Police click here.
HOW TO REPORT
DOMESTIC ABUSE
If you, or someone you know, is at risk of domestic abuse, please contact Police Scotland. You can contact Police Scotland via their online reporting form. If the abuse is ongoing please always phone 101, or 999 in an emergency. Police Scotland can also provide information on how to keep you and your loved safe.
Support and advice can be provided by local women’s aids across Scotland and you can contact Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline on 0800 027 1234 where support is available 24/7
There are 17 rape crisis centres across Scotland available to offer support, and the National Rape Crisis Helpline can offer support from 6.00pm to midnight 7 days a week on 08088 01 03 02. Rape Crisis Scotland provides support to survivors of all genders, including men and all trans and non-binary people.
EMERGENCY
If you feel moved by the causes Welcome to Aberdeen promotes, we would very much appreciate your support. Set up your donation to Welcome to Aberdeen today. It’s easy and most importantly, it will make a major difference in the lives of so many who are in need of help. Contact us today to learn more or click below to donate now.
POLICE
Are you looking to support Welcome to Aberdeen? We’d love to receive your help, and so will the community we provide for. Contact us to learn about donation opportunities. However you are able to help, we can assure you that it will have a major impact on the lives of many.
COMMUNITY SAFETY
Want to make a positive impact in the San Francisco community? It really is as simple as making a donation. No amount of time or money is too small or too large! We appreciate all the help you can provide and guarantee that it will be put to excellent use. Contact us to learn more about what we do with the donations we receive.
LEGAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Equality Act
Hate Crime
Fire Safety
Illegal drugs
Weapons
Smoking
Child protection
Keeping women and girls safe
Domestic abuse & gender-based abuse
Relationships
VICTIM SUPPORT
If you feel moved by the causes Welcome to Aberdeen promotes, we would very much appreciate your support. Set up your donation to Welcome to Aberdeen today. It’s easy and most importantly, it will make a major difference in the lives of so many who are in need of help. Contact us today to learn more or click below to donate now.
VICTIM SUPPORT
If you feel moved by the causes Welcome to Aberdeen promotes, we would very much appreciate your support. Set up your donation to Welcome to Aberdeen today. It’s easy and most importantly, it will make a major difference in the lives of so many who are in need of help. Contact us today to learn more or click below to donate now.
LEGAL RIGHTS
LEGAL SYSTEM
Scotland is a modern, inclusive nation which respects, protects and fulfils internationally recognised human rights. The Scottish Government and other public authorities in Scotland have a duty to respect, protect and fulfil the rights set out in human rights treaties. We are committed to working with the whole of Scottish society to ensure that everyone can live a life of human dignity.
Every person in Scotland has the same basic human rights and freedoms, which are protected in law. For example, every person has:
- a right to liberty
- freedom of thought and the right to practice their religion
However it is illegal if, as part of this, you take part in activities which break laws legislated within the UK and Scottish Parliaments. It is against the law to discriminate against or persecute someone because of their beliefs.
For more information about the criminal judicial system click here.
EQUALITY ACT
Based on the rights and freedoms protected in law, everyone living in or visiting the UK is expected to adhere to a set of shared values and responsibilities:
- respect and obey the law
- respect the rights of others, including their right to their own opinions
- treat others with fairness
In the UK it is illegal to treat anyone differently because of their protected characteristics. These are:
- age
-disability
- gender reassignment
- marriage and civil partnership
- pregnancy and maternity
- race
- religion or belief
- sex
- sexual orientation
For more information about the Equality Act click here.
Also you can access more information at the Citizens Advice Bureau click here.
HATE CRIME
Hate crime is the term used to describe behaviour which is both criminal and rooted in prejudice. It can take many different forms – including verbal and physical abuse – and has hugely damaging effects on victims, their families and communities. Current hate crime laws in Scotland allow any existing criminal offence (assault, threatening or abusive behaviour) to be aggravated by prejudice – this includes prejudice based on race, religion, disability, transgender identity and sexual orientation. Hate crimes are unacceptable and will not be tolerated in Scotland. It is a serious offence to injure, harass or verbally abuse someone because of their race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity. If you or someone you know is the victim of hate crime you should tell the police If you do not feel comfortable contacting the police, you can do so through a third party reporting centre. Third party reporting centres allow people to tell the police about a hate crime without contacting them directly. Examples of third party reporting centres range housing associations to victim support offices and voluntary groups, where their specially trained staff will provide support and assistance in submitting a report to Police Scotland on your behalf
To report a hate crime, telephone 101. Your call will be taken seriously and treated confidentially. No hate crime is too minor to report to the police. Anyone can be the victim of a hate crime.
For more information about any of our programs, feel free to get in touch.
POLICE AND COMMUNITY SAFETY
Get Involved!
POLICE
The priorities for your area are decided by data from our strategic assessment which details threats and risks, and also from feedback from local authorities, partners, and residents in the Your Police survey.
Protecting vulnerable people
Serious organised crime
Antisocial behaviour, violence and disorder
Road safety and road crime
Crimes of theft and dishonesty
Counter terrorism and domestic extremism.
Call us on 101 if you need advice or to report a crime, or 999 if it is an emergency.
You may need to contact the police because: you have been the victim of a crime; or you have witnessed a crime; you have been involved in a road collision; or you need information. Many towns have a police station although they may not be open 24 hours per day. When closed please call the Service Centre on 101 or visit their website www.scotland.police.uk 101 connects you to the Police anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All calls cost 15p in total. You should think about adding 101 as an ICE contact (In Case of Emergency) to your mobile.
COMMUNITY SAFETY IN ABERDEEN
Community safety means working together to make sure
people are safe from crime, disorder, danger and free from injury and harm
communities are socially cohesive and tolerant
communities are resilient and able to support individuals to take responsibility for their well-being.
NON-EMERGENCY -101-
If you need the police but it is not an emergency, you should call 101. This nonemergency number will make it quicker and easier for you to contact the police when you don’t need an emergency response, for example if you need to speak to your local police officer or report a crime that has already happened, such as a theft or damage to property.
FIRE-SAFETY
Please visit Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website see a guide on how to keep safe in the event of fire.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are the world’s fourth largest fire and rescue service and are committed to ensuring our safety and wellbeing.
Make sure you have a smoke alarm. Smoke alarms are designed to make a noise if a fire starts. It will warn you that there is smoke or that an area is too hot and give you time to escape.
- Never remove the battery from your smoke alarm.
- Change the battery once a year or when the warning bleep sounds. The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS) provides fire cover 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, across Scotland.
They provide education and information to help reduce the risk of fire and improve safety in the home and workplace. Fire Service also respond to road traffic collisions and work alongside Police Scotland and others to promote road safety. Services are free of charge to everyone living or working in the area.
Fire safety information leaflets are also available in different languages through your local fire station. SFRS officers will come to your home and carry out a free fire safety check and provide you with a free smoke alarm.
Remember if fire strikes:
• GET OUT
• STAY OUT
• CALL THE FIRE SERVICE ON 999
Have you looked at the risks in your home? For free information on how to protect your home, visit www.firescotland.gov.uk or phone on 0800 0731 999.
For more information about any of our programs, feel free to get in touch.
WOMEN SAFETY
KEEPING WOMEN AND GIRLS SAFE
Violence against women is a fundamental violation of human rights and is unacceptable. In Scotland you can access frontline services which support both male and female victims and survivors of domestic abuse, and rape and sexual assault.
DOMESTIC ABUSE
The Scottish Government’s message to those suffering domestic abuse is very clear– you are not alone, you do not have to wait and you should not hesitate to come forward and get help.Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) see domestic abuse as:
"Any form of physical, verbal, sexual, psychological or financial abuse which might amount to criminal conduct and which takes place within the context of a relationship.
The relationship will be between partners (married, cohabiting, civil partnership or otherwise) or ex-partners. The abuse may be committed in the home or elsewhere including online".
Domestic Abuse (which is a form of Gender-Based Abuse) is most often the violent or controlling behaviour used by a male partner to exert power over a wife, girlfriend or lover. However, violence also happens in gay and lesbian relationships, and in a number of cases by women against men.
This type of abuse impacts on every one of us – in our lives, our work places and our communities. It can affect anyone regardless of sex, race, class, age, religion, sexuality, income, lifestyle or where they live. Domestic and Gender-Based Abuse is unacceptable
EXAMPLES OF DOMESTIC ABUSE
Domestic abuse is not just physical. It can happen in many ways. Domestic abuse
can include:
• being threatened
• name calling
• controlling what you do, where you go and who you speak to
• threatening your children
• not being allowed see your friends and family
• accusing you of cheating
• threatening to out your sexual orientation
• sharing - or threatening to share - intimate images of you with family, friends or work colleagues
• being hit, kicked, punched, or have objects thrown at you
• rape, being forced into sexual acts.
- Domestic Abuse
- Harmful Traditional Practices - Forced Marriage, Honour-Based Violence, Female Genital Mutilation
- Sexual Harassment and Stalking
- Commercial Sexual Exploitation
- Childhood Sexual Abuse (Adult Survivors)
- Rape and Sexual Assault
RAPE AND SEXUAL CRIME
The only person to blame for sexual offending is the perpetrator. Police Scotland recognise how difficult it can be to report sexual crime and are there to help and support you. If you have been raped or sexually assaulted:
- you do not have to cope on your own
- there are many support services that can help you
- officers of Police Scotland know how difficult it is for people to report rape,
they will respect you and believe you
- you are not to blame, the person who raped or assaulted you is to blame
Police Scotland can be contacted via 101 or in an emergency always call 999.
HONOUR BASED VIOLENCE, FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION AND FORCED MARRIAGE
We are committed to tackling ‘honour based’ violence such as Female Genital Mutilation and Forced Marriage. We also considers so called virginity testing and hymenoplasty to be a form of gender based violence. The existence of these procedures directly relates to the strict expectations regarding women’s sexual “purity” within some cultures or communities. Perpetrators of honour-based violence will usually justify their behaviour by referencing these beliefs alongside various other socio-cultural factors; this includes references to fixed gender roles that perceive women and girls as gatekeepers of their family’s honour. The concept of “honour” is a construct – one that reflects unacceptable gender discrimination against women and girls. If you're concerned about a girl of any age who may be at risk of honour based abuse you can:
• contact the police
• contact the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) on 0800 028 3550 (24 hour helpline)
• call the Scottish Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline on 0800 027 1234 (24 hour helpline) for guidance and support
• speak to a teacher or any health professional
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION
Get Involved!
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
Child sexual abuse involves a child or young person engaging in activity for the sexual gratification of another adult, child or young person. It is never the child or young person’s fault. Child sexual exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse in which a person or person of any age takes advantage of a power imbalance to entice, force or persuade a child or young person into engaging in sexual activity, in return for something received by the child and/or those perpetrating or facilitating the abuse. Child sexual abuse can take place in person or online and it can be a one off event or occur over long periods of time.
Protecting children is the responsibility of every member of the community, not just child protection services. Remember – if you suspect abuse, do not rely on someone else to notice.
If you would like to speak to someone, seek help or pass on information or concerns:
- During the day, you can phone your local social work office, health visitor or the police
- At other times, there is an emergency out of hours social work service - this service is available through the night and at weekends - 0845 840 0070
- You can also contact the Police at any time on 101
- There is also a national child protection helpline (24-hour Freephone) on 0808 800 5000
CHILD PROTECTION
If you believe a child or young person is at risk call Police Scotland on 101. If you think they may be in immediate danger 999 and speak to the Police immediately. Officers from Police Scotland will contact you to find out what has happened and will work with you to ensure your child is safe. Specialist Child Protection officers that work jointly with Child Protection Social Work will listen and speak to your child to find out what has happened to them. All incidents of child abuse and exploitation will be investigated by Police Scotland.
For more information about any of our programs, feel free to get in touch.
SUPPORT
NHS SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE COORDINATION SERVICE (SARCS)
NHS Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCS) is a dedicated NHS service which can offer healthcare and support in the days after an assault, if you are not ready to tell the police or are unsure.
If you have been raped or sexually assaulted within the last 7 days and do not want to tell the police or are unsure about telling them now - you can self-refer to a SARCS. This means you do not need a GP or other healthcare professional to refer you to a SARCS - you can do this yourself.
Rape Crisis Scotland provides support to survivors of all genders, including men and all trans and non-binary people. The National Rape Crisis Helpline can offer support from 6pm to midnight, 7 days a week, on 08088 01 03 02. In addition there are 17 rape crisis centres across Scotland available to offer advice and support
VICTIM SUPPORT ABERDEEN
An independent charity, we provide support and information to people affected by crime and campaign for victim and witness rights. Regardless of whether a crime has been reported or when it happened, our services are free, confidential and tailored to individuals’ needs.
Our services are available to everyone, regardless of age, disability, sex, gender identity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
40 Union Terrace
Aberdeen, AB10 1NP
Phone: 01224 622 478
victimsupport.aberdeen@victimsupportsco.org.uk
Opening hours
Monday 9am – 5pm
Tuesday 9am – 5pm
Wednesday 9am – 5pm
Thursday 9am – 5pm
Friday 9am – 5pm
If you need support outwith these hours, our helpline is open 8am-8pm, Mon-Fri: 0800 160 1985
ACTIVITIES FOR THE ELDERLY
Welcome to Aberdeen is committed to helping the neediest among the San Francisco area community. Learn more about our charitable Activities for the Elderly program, and see how you can help make it even better and more impactful. Whether you’re looking to donate money or want to volunteer your time, we are happy to receive any help you can give.
GRAMPIAN WOMEN'S AID
Grampian Women’s Aid
The Gatehouse
Quarry Road, Northfield
Aberdeen, AB16 5UU
Phone: 01224 593381
info@grampian-womens-aid.com
RAPE CRISIS
Rape Crisis
112 Crown Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6HJ
Phone: 01224 590932
info@rapecrisisgrampian.co.uk
ABERDEEN CYRENIANS DOMESTIC ABUSE SUPPORT
Domestic Abuse Support & Accomodation Project (DASAP)
Aberdeen Cyrenians
62 Summer Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1SD
Phone: 01224 625732
NATIONAL DOMESTIC ABUSE HELPLINE
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
(24hr) - 0800 027 1234
Abused Men In Scotland (9am-4pm)
Phone: 0808 800 0024
ZERO TOLERANCE
Zero Tolerance – www.zerotolerance.
SCOTLAND’S DOMESTIC ABUSE AND FORCED MARRIAGE HELPLINE
Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline https://sdafmh.org.uk/ - 0800 027 1234
GRAMPIAN REGIONAL EQUALITY COUNCIL -GREC-
Our Caseworkers can help you make sense of your rights and options: whether you’ve been the victim of a hate crime; discriminated against at work; are struggling to access the services you need; or are simply feeling isolated and want to become more involved in your community.
We can provide support, advice, advocacy, and mediation, with language support if you need it. Our service is confidential, non-judgmental, and inclusive. We provide a safe environment where your concerns are treated seriously and with respect and privacy.
Please get in touch, in whatever way is best for you:
Telephone: 01224576799
Telephone, Text or WhatsApp: 07857180175
Email: casework@grec.co.uk
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