Resources for: Gender Based Violence/Abuse and Age 5-11
‘There is one universal truth, applicable to all countries, cultures and communities: violence against women is never acceptable, never excusable, never tolerable.’ United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon.
Women, children and men can all be victims of violence. There is a a national focus on taking action on all forms of violence against women and girls. By this we mean the violent and abusive behaviour carried out predominantly by men directed at women and girls precisely because of their gender. Behaviour that stems from systemic, deep-rooted women’s inequality, and which includes domestic abuse, rape, sexual assault, commercial sexual exploitation (like prostitution), and so called ‘honour based’ violence like female genital mutilation and forced marriage. Reference
CARA (challenging and responding to abuse)
CARA (West Dunbartonshire HSCP) is a free, confidential counselling service for women, children, and young people who have experienced domestic or sexual abuse. It offers up to 12 trauma-informed sessions in Clydebank or Dumbarton, helping individuals feel safe, supported, and heard. Women can self-refer, while children and young people need a referral from a professional or support service.
Phone: 0141 562 8800
Web: http://www.wdhscp.org.uk/mental-health-services-for-cyp-adults/counselling-support-for-women-children-and-young-people/
CEDAR (children experiencing domestic abuse recovery)
A therapeutic group‑work programme for children aged 4‑16 and their mothers, designed to provide a safe space to explore feelings and rebuild family connections through guided activities over 10–12 weeks. Self-referral and agency referrals both welcomed.
Phone: 0141 562 8870
Web: www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/emergencies/domestic-abuse/children-and-young-people/
Crisis Counselling (Erskine Counselling)
Crisis Counselling offers free counselling therapy to children and young people in West Dunbartonshire aged 10 and over experiencing emotional and mental health difficulties. Referral through Education services.
Adults can self-refer with a cost for affordable mental health support. Support is available face-to-face or online to help with issues like anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Web: www.crisiscounselling.co.uk/
Runaway Helpline
Runaway Helpline can help if you are thinking about running away, if you have already run away, or if you have been away and come back. You can also contact if you are worried that someone else is going to run away or if they are being treated badly or abused.
Helpline number: call or text 116 000
Web: www.runawayhelpline.org.uk
Hollie Guard app
A free personal safety app from the Hollie Gazzard Trust. It lets you discreetly send an alert by shaking your phone or tapping a button that shares your location and live audio/video with your emergency contacts. Features include journey tracking, meeting timers, fall detection, and “stealth” or “deterrent” modes to help you stay safe in risky situations.
Web: https://hollieguard.com/
TapSOS app
A free, non-verbal emergency app for the UK. It lets people who can’t or shouldn’t speak, such as those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or in unsafe situations quickly contact the four emergency services (police, ambulance, fire, coastguard). You tap icons to send your location and medical information directly to 999 call handlers via SMS.
Web: https://tapsos.com/