We recognise that gender-based violence (GBV) is a problem within our society, which is being tackled by organisations across the UK.
Glasgow Caledonian University has a team of First Responders who have received training in listening and responding to disclosures of gender-based violence. They can provide information and signposting to sources of support, both internally and externally. This resource is available to both staff and students.
You can also contact the student wellbeing team for support and guidance if you have experienced gender-based violence at GBVStudentSupport@gcu.ac.uk.
If you are at immediate risk, dial 999. Police Scotland are committed to tackling GBV.
If you are experiencing suicidal feelings or thoughts, or are thinking of ending your life, take a moment to pause. There is always a way out of whatever you are experiencing and there are people ready and waiting to help you. Please see our feel in crisis webpages for support information.
What is gender-based violence?
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For the purpose of this policy, we draw on the Scottish Government’s Violence Against Women definition of gender-based violence:
Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring in the family, within the general community, or in institutions, including: domestic abuse, rape, incest and child sexual abuse Sexual harassment and intimidation at work and in the public sphere; commercial sexual exploitation, including prostitution, pornography and trafficking Dowry-related violence Forced and child marriages Honour crimes Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The Scottish Government has produced a video about domestic abuse
VIDEO
Report and Support
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Report and Support is an online reporting tool for our students to submit a report about misconduct they experience on campus. GCU is dedicated to identifying and tackling inappropriate behaviour, whenever it arises. No one in our community should ever experience gender-based violence, sexism, racism, discrimination, assault, bullying, harassment or any other offensive conduct.
By reporting an incident you experienced or witnessed, you could help prevent something similar from happening to someone else. You can choose to submit an anonymous report or provide your contact details if you would like support or follow up regarding the incident.
Help make GCU a better place. Tell us about your experience .
Gender-based violence policy
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GCU has a gender-based violence policy to ensure we provide a consistent, caring, and timely response when any member of our University community is affected by such violence. This policy covers both staff and students. We have also produced guidance for staff and students, which provides practical advice around responding to an incident and signposting to appropriate supports.
EmilyTest GBV Charter
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GCU are proud to be actively working towards the EmilyTest GBV Charter.
The EmilyTest GBV Charter is a framework to improve prevention, intervention and support for gender-based violence (GBV) in Further and Higher Education institutions. It is centred around five key principles and a set of minimum standards which institutions must meet in order to pass the test and be awarded the charter. The University will present evidence of its GBV prevention, intervention and support work to an independent panel of experts, who will determine if the charter has been attained. EmilyTest will support us through this process, providing a toolbox of resources and coaching.
The Charter was developed by the EmilyTest charity, which was set up in memory of Emily Drouet, an 18-year-old student who took her own life in 2016 after being subjected to a sustained campaign of gender-based violence by a fellow student. The Charter’s Minimum Standards were developed in response to the lessons identified from Emily’s story, as well as wider work and research on student and staff needs around GBV. You can learn more about Emily’s story and the EmilyTest organisation on the EmilyTest website.
GCU are committed to GBV prevention, intervention and support for students, staff and visitors to our campuses, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to work towards the EmilyTest Charter to strengthen our response and highlight our commitment to tackling GBV.
There are a number of support services available which can offer you support within the University. We have displayed information on some of these services below:
Support services available within the University
Glasgow Caledonian support for staff and students
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Gender-based violence policy for both staff and students.
Gender-based violence student and staff guidance, which provides practical advice around responding to an incident and signposting to appropriate support.
First Responders Glasgow Caledonian has a team of First Responders who have received training in responding to disclosures of gender-based violence. They can provide information and signposting to sources of longer-term support both within the university and externally. This resource is available to both staff and students, and you can find more information about this below.
Other support at Glasgow Caledonian
GCU's First Responders
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Our First Responder team has been trained in supporting and advising survivors of gender based and sexual violence. They can provide information and signposting to sources of longer-term support both within the University and externally. You can contact any of the First Responders using the details below. Information will be treated as confidential, unless there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others. You can email the First Responders anytime, but please note they will respond during normal working hours.
Support for students only
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GCU Student Wellbeing team The GCU Wellbeing team: counselling, wellbeing and mental health support is available to all undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University.
GCU Students' Association advice centre The GCU Students' Association advice centre provides a free, non-judgemental and confidential service to all GCU students.
Glasgow Students' Nightline Glasgow Students' Nightline is a confidential telephone, text, and online listening and information service run by trained students for the students of Glasgow Caledonian, Glasgow and Strathclyde Universities. Sunday - Friday, 7pm - 7am: 0141 334 9516
GCU Supports for staff only
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PAM Assist
PAM Assist offers Glasgow Caledonian staff access to a free confidential support service with trained counsellors and advisers.
There are also a number of specialist support services available externally. We have displayed some of these useful contacts below:
Specialist external sources of support (staff and students)
Women and girls
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Rape Crisis Glasgow Rape Crisis Glasgow provides a free and confidential support service to women and girls who have experienced rape, sexual assault, or sexual abuse.
Scottish Women's Aid The Women’s Aid network supports women, children and young people, who have experienced domestic abuse across Scotland by promoting women and children’s rights, providing services and advice to members and ensuring that services are available to women, children and young people with experience of domestic abuse.
There is also a Women's Aid Survivors' Forum for women (over 18) who have been affected by domestic abuse to share their experiences and support one another.
Say Women Say Women offers safe semi-supported accommodation and emotional support for young women aged 16 to 25 who are survivors of sexual abuse, rape or sexual assault and who are homeless, or threatened with homelessness.
Glasgow East Women’s Aid Glasgow East Women’s Aid provide support for women, children and young people who are affected by domestic abuse.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline Refuge provides a freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline and Online Chat Facility. 0808 2000 247
Trafficking Awareness Raising Alliance (TARA) TARA supports trafficking survivors, to help identify and support women who may have been trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation.
Revive Domestic Abuse Relocation Service - support for people fleeing abuse to find social housing in a different area of the country.
Routes out Routes Out offers support to women who sell sex. The service is part of Community Safety Glasgow which aims to increase safety for people across Glasgow. Routes Out understands the risk of selling sex and the stigma women can feel which can make it difficult to ask for support.
Information on local services You can find further information on local services available at the Scottish Government Webpages.
LGBT+ support
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Galop Galop is a 24-hr LGBTQI domestic and sexual violence helpline. Call: 0800 999 5428
FearFree FearFree provide support for people experiencing domestic abuse in Scotland who identify as a man or from the LGBT+ community.
Survivors UK Survivors UK helps male, trans, and non-binary victims of sexual abuse as well as their friends and family. If you're aged 13 - 18 you can get support Monday - Sunday between 12pm and 8pm via:
WhatsApp: 07491816064
Support for Black, Asian and minority ethnic individuals
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AMINA Amina is an inclusive organisation that empowers and supports Muslim and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic women to create an inclusive Scotland in which they can contribute fully.
The Forced Marriage Unit The Forced Marriage Unit provides support and advice if you are trying to stop a forced marriage or need help leaving a marriage you have been forced into.
Shakti Women's Aid Shakti Women's Aid provides help for black minority ethnic women, children and young people who are experiencing, or who have experienced, domestic abuse.
Hemat Gryffe Hemat Gryffe is based in Glasgow and offers support and refuge to Asian, Black and Minority Ethnic women and young people in relation to domestic abuse, FGM and forced marriage.
Men’s helplines
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Abused Men in Scotland Abused Men in Scotland provide direct support to men experiencing domestic abuse, as well as helping to improve mainstream service responses and campaigning for further inclusion of male victims in the wider narrative on domestic abuse.
AMIS Helpline Any man, anywhere in Scotland, can access the AMIS National helpline on 03300949395. Calls to the helpline are confidential (unless they feel that you or anyone else is in danger of serious harm). You do not have to give your name or any personal details.
The helpline is free to call from landlines, BT payphones and most UK mobiles (O2, EE, Virgin Mobile and 3). As the helpline is a special Freephone tariff number, it will not appear on your phone bill. AMIS provide a safe space to discuss your concerns and work together to explore the options that work best for you.
Survivors Trust The Survivors Trust provides free information, advice and emotional support across the UK.
Phone: 08088 010 818 (Monday -Thursday: 10am - 6pm Fri: 10am - 2pm)
FearFree FearFree provide support for people experiencing domestic abuse in Scotland who identify as a man or from the LGBT+ community.
Survivors UK Survivors UK helps male, trans, and non-binary victims of sexual abuse as well as their friends and family. If you're aged 13 - 18 you can get support Monday - Sunday between 12pm and 8pm via:
WhatsApp: 07491816064
Children and young people
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The Rosey Project The Rosey Project is the Support and Prevention Programme for young people at Glasgow Rape Crisis, providing support and education to young people aged 13-25
That's Not Ok Young Scot and Scottish Government have launched a new resource developed in partnership with Rape Crisis Scotland and Scottish Women's Aid. This resource – called #ThatsNotOK – provides young people with information about different forms of gender-based violence, healthy relationships and consent, and signposts where they get additional support.
The Survivors' Trust The Survivors’ Trust provides free information, advice and emotional support across the UK. Phone: 08088 010 818 ( Monday -Thursday: 10am - 6pm and Fri: 10am - 2pm)
Childline Childline is a counselling service for children and young people up to their 19th birthday in the United Kingdom provided by the NSPCC. Phone 0800 1111
Families
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The Daisy Project The Daisy Project provides an integrated domestic abuse advocacy and support service to families across the South of Glasgow.
Stalking and cyberstalking
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National stalking helpline This is a national helpline to specialise in providing information and guidance to victims of harassment and stalking as well as their friends and family. Call 0808 802 0300 (09:30 - 20:00, Monday and Wednesday, 09:30 - 16:00, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)
Action Against Stalking Action Against Stalking is a UK-wide charity that champions the rights of stalking victims and supports those who are or have been victims of stalking.
MyGov Stalking Support MyGov Stalking Support provides information and support for those impacted by stalking.
Suzy Lamplugh Trust (UK) The Suzy Lamplugh Trust (UK) provides a national stalking helpline. Call 0808 802 0300 (09:30 - 20:00, Monday and Wednesday, 09:30 - 16:00, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)
Refuge Refuge’s specialist tech team was created in 2017 in response to overwhelming reports of tech abuse from women accessing our frontline services. They work to keep women safe from tech abuse and also empower survivors so they can use tech safely and take back control of their lives. Refuge’s expert tech team carries out risk assessments and creates customised safety plans for victims of tech abuse and their children.
Sexual assault/sexual health
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Sandyford Sandyford is the specialist sexual health service for Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
Rape Crisis Scotland Rape Crisis Scotland provide support and have a resource: if it's just happened
Sexual Assault Response Co-Ordination Service (SARCS) SARCS are an NHS Scotland service. To access, phone the self-referral phone line: 0800 148 88 88. Open 24/7. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles.
SARCs have a local centre in every health board in Scotland and also offer facilities to keep evidence for 26 months to allow victims time to decide on whether they wish to report to the police.
The sexual assault self-referral phone service can help you:
Arrange a forensic medical examination (FME) Refer you to a sexual assault response co-ordination service (SARCS) to make sure your immediate health and wellbeing needs are met after a rape or sexual assault Get in touch with local services. More information can be found here .
The My Body Back Project A service offering cervical screening, contraceptive care, STI testing and maternity care for people who’ve experienced sexual violence
Pornography
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Revenge pornography is illegal.
Contact the Revenge Porn helpline at help@revengepornhelpline.org.uk Tel 0345 6000 459
(Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm)
Reporting to the police
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Reporting crime to the police - your rights
You can find information and support at Police Scotland's webpages
Assist Free Specialist support for individuals and families going through the domestic abuse courts
Legal advice/advocacy services
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ASSIST ASSIST provides support to families going through the Domestic Abuse Courts.
Scottish Women's Rights Centre This centre is based at Strathclyde University within their Law Clinic. It is a partnership project between Rape Crisis Scotland, the University of Strathclyde and the Legal Services Agency.
The centre was created to ensure that women in Scotland who have or are experiencing gender-based violence can access timely and appropriate legal advice and information.
The Scottish Women’s Rights Centre open times are subject to change; opening times and information can be found on their website .
The Centre offer a Helpline service which works on a triage basis: our experienced advocacy workers will be handling your initial call and they will put you in touch with our solicitors if you need further advice. You can read more about the helpline here , or phone them at 08088 010 789
SWRC have legal guides and factsheets which may answer some of your initial questions or concerns. More guides for survivors of sexual violence and for migrant women are also available on their website.
SWRC Solicitor Network SWRC have a signposting network of Solicitors across the country who have undertaken our domestic abuse training. You can find their details on their website .
Victim Support Scotland Victim Support provides victims with free and confidential emotional and practical assistance and information about the criminal justice system. Trained volunteers and staff deliver this assistance throughout Scotland. There is a Victim Support office in every local authority area.
Daha Daha is an organisation that provides a list of helpful advice lines that you can call for support if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse.
Home Finder UK Home Finder UK offer the Revive Project: which is an enhanced add-on option to Homefinder UK case management service, focused on relocating domestic abuse survivors. It was specifically designed to provide move-on housing options for those fleeing domestic abuse with no outlet to escape.
Therapeutic services/counselling
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Speak Out Scotland Speak Out Scotland (SOS) is a non-profit charity that provides free, open-ended complex trauma therapy for male survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA).
Trauma Counselling Line Scotland Trauma Counselling Line Scotland provides a free telephone counselling service for adults who experienced abuse in childhood.
Awareness raising/campaigning organisations
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White Ribbon White Ribbon Scotland is a campaign to involve men in tackling violence against women. They work with the White Ribbon Campaign and have recently produced the Men Ending Violence: A lockdown toolkit .
Educational resources for staff/students
Staff training resource: preventing and responding to GBV
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GCU and the University of the Highlands and Islands are two of 17 Scottish universities that have come together to create and fund access to a training course to help prevent and eradicate gender-based violence in colleges and universities.
Building on the work of the Scottish Government’s Equally Safe national strategy and carried out in partnership with AMOSSHE- Scotland, the student services organisation, it is the first open-access resource that has been tailored to assist all Scottish colleges and universities implement training for their staff.
The course aims:
To develop participants’ understanding of the nature, extent and impact of gender-based violence To demonstrate how GBV affects staff and students in colleges and universities To offer guidance on responding sensitively to disclosures.
Click educational resources
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Click Magazine What is Click Magazine?
Click Magazine is a creative platform from CLiCK for women with lived experience of selling or exchanging sex in Scotland to share their needs and experiences in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
This platform aims to take the voices of women to the people making decisions that affect women’s lives right now to shape Scotland’s support and policy landscape as the country begins the process of learning to live with coronavirus.
Click Cast is a monthly podcast series, hosted by Anna (CLiCK development worker) and Shannon (CLiCK resource and information officer), which explores the needs of women in Scotland’s sex industry in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. In each episode, we hear from women with lived experience and from key support services in Scotland in order to ask what is being done – and what needs to change – to best meet the needs of women in Scotland’s sex industry.
Together Alone wellbeing project and self-care toolkit For many women in the sex industry, the coronavirus pandemic is exacerbating feelings of stigma, loneliness, and social isolation. Together, Alone is our wellbeing-based arts project which aims to foster a sense of community and solidarity by building a “self-care toolkit ”. We invite women to creatively share what self-care means to them. What works? What doesn’t work? And where self-care doesn’t go far enough, what needs to be done to better support the mental wellbeing of women? Women will be able to access free masterclasses with women artists to explore creativity in a variety of mediums, including photography, painting, and illustration.
Your Voice Your Voice is a space for women to explore their needs, concerns, and experiences during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond. By working directly with Anna (CLiCK development worker), women can be a part of improving CLiCK and other services for women, with the opportunity to explore creative ways of making their voice heard in a way that works for them.
Personal safety apps and technology
#ThatsNotOk: personal safety apps and tech
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Young Scot and Scottish Government have launched a new resource developed in partnership with Rape Crisis Scotland and Scottish Women's Aid. This resource – called #ThatsNotOK – provides young people with information about different forms of gender-based violence, healthy relationships and consent, and signposts where they get additional support. The resource has a section on Personal safety apps and tech .
