Child abuse: useful organisations

Organisations for children and young people

ChildLine

ChildLine has a free, 24-hour telephone helpline for children and young people up to the age of 19 who feel they are in trouble or danger. All calls are treated confidentially, but if a child or young person discloses information which suggests a danger or threat to life, ChildLine will contact a social work department or the police. The child or young person will be informed that confidentiality has been broken and given the reasons why this has happened.

Callers may need to ring a number of times before getting through. The child or young person can also email or chat online to a counsellor using ChildLine's 1-2-1 messaging service once they have registered on the website. The contact details are:

Children 1st

Children 1st offers a range of services for children, young people and their families who have been affected by physical, sexual or emotional abuse. There is a network of local support groups across the country. More information about these groups can be found on the Children 1st website.

Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP)

You can report concerns about online abuse of a child or young person on the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) website. CEOP also runs the Thinkuknow website, which gives advice to children, parents, carers and teachers about internet safety for children. 

The Scottish Child Law Centre

The Scottish Child Law Centre provides free legal help and advice about the law and children's rights to children, young people, parents, carers and professionals. The contact details are:

Clan Childlaw

Clan Childlaw provides free legal information by telephone, email and text, on all aspects of Scots law relating to children and young people. This service is available to children and young people throughout Scotland, and professionals working with children and young people.

Clan Childlaw also provides free legal advice and representation for children and young people in Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian, West Lothian, and Glasgow and the surrounding areas. The term 'surrounding areas' is not limited by local authority boundaries or post codes, but by whether travel out is feasible from Clan Childlaw offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Clan Childlaw will confirm the availability of the service for a geographical area on request. They represent children and young people up to the age of 18, and up to the age of 21 if they are or have been a looked after child. 

Organisations for parents

ParentLine Scotland

ParentLine Scotland is run by Children 1st and provides information and support to anyone in a parenting role. The helpline is staffed by trained volunteers. The contact details are:

General organisations

Rape Crisis Scotland

Rape Crisis Scotland provides free and confidential support and information by phone and at rape crisis centres for anyone affected by sexual violence. There is also a network of local groups which offer face-to-face support.

NSPCC

The NSPCC helpline provides advice and information to adults concerned about a child. The helpline is available 24 hours a day every day and NSPCC counsellors can provide callers with support and also take action on their behalf. There is also an online form to report concerns about a child. The contact details are:

Csethesigns.scot

The Scottish government set up the csethesigns.scot website to tackle child sexual exploitation. It provides information and advice for young people and for parents about how to spot the warning signs and symptoms, common myths and practical advice for staying safe online and offline.

Organisations for adults who experienced childhood abuse

A range of organisations can support survivors of abuse living in Scotland. 

Future Pathways

Future Pathways has been set up to allow survivors of in-care abuse in Scotland to access services that they need. Each individual survivor can access the services most appropriate to them. This could include counselling and psychological support, access to records, and services to support work, training and educational needs.

Future Pathways is funded by the Scottish Government and run by a group of organisations, including the Mental Health Foundation, Health in Mind, Penumbra and Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership.

National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC)

The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) is an organisation which can provide advice to an adult who has been abused in childhood. It can refer a survivor to local counselling, support and help groups, and also has its own support line.

Scottish child abuse inquiry

The Scottish child abuse inquiry is investigating the abuse of children in care in Scotland before December 2014. It will publish its findings and make recommendations for changes in law and practice.

If you want to give evidence to the inquiry, you can contact the witness support team who can answer questions and help support you.  Find out more on the Scottish child abuse inquiry website. 

Scottish government redress scheme

The Scottish government has set up a scheme to provide financial redress to survivors of child abuse in care in Scotland before December 2004. They have specially trained staff who can answer questions about the scheme and how to apply. They can also help with practical things like collecting evidence and also with emotional support. Find out more about the redress scheme on mygov.scot.

Speak Out Scotland

Speak Out Scotland provides a support service for male survivors of childhood sexual abuse in Glasgow and the surrounding area. The service is closed to men who have a history of sexual offending. They can offer face-to-face (and occasionally telephone) counselling.

Stop It Now! UK & Ireland

Stop It Now! Scotland offers a wide range of services to the public and professionals aimed both at the prevention of child sexual abuse and support for those affected. Their Scotland office can be contacted on 0131 556 3535 during office hours and by email at scotland@stopitnow.org.uk.

SurvivorsUK

SurvivorsUK provide information, support and counselling for male victims/survivors of rape and sexual abuse, as well as their family and friends.

Trauma Counselling Line Scotland

Trauma Counselling Line Scotland (TCLS) provides confidential telephone counselling to any adult who was abused in childhood. The contact details are:

Victim Support Scotland

Victim Support Scotland provides support and information services to victims and witnesses of crime in Scotland.

Wellbeing Scotland

Wellbeing Scotland is a voluntary organisation with services across Scotland, providing a range of holistic services for individuals (both children and adults) and families whose life experiences have impacted negatively on their wellbeing. These include therapeutic services specialising in abuse and trauma work.