History
In 1982 a group of women in Inverness started a Rape Crisis Centre to offer support to women who had been raped.
By 1990, the group had developed into a service for men and women affected in any way by rape and/or all forms of abuse. It had moved to Dingwall and changed its name to Rape and Abuse Line. With a fund of £300, a part-time administrator was employed, principally to raise funds for further service development.
By 1994, with the help of a grant from the Unemployed Voluntary Action Fund (UVAF), the recruitment of volunteers had extended to a wider area of the Highlands and included males. Face to face support was then offered where possible. In addition, professional supervision and a formal training programme was underway and a separate male helpline opened.
In 1999 the service was included in the UK wide Yellow Pages and it became a free line. This extended and increased the workload of volunteer support workers and it became necessary to employ a
Service Co-ordinator for the line work and to support the volunteers. The free line not only helps clients financially but freeline phone numbers do not appear on clients’ itemised phone bills, thus ensuring confidentiality.
Increasing awareness of the problems associated with abuse and rape puts greater pressure on our service, increasing the need for quality supervision, support and training for our volunteers. This in turn puts a greater emphasis on fund raising and therefore an increased workload on administration.
In recognition of our valuable work and to assist us to continue and expand our service, the Scottish Executive recently awarded us substantial funding over two years. However, the continuing search for funding remains a priority.
0808 800 0123 Answered by women on most evenings from 7pm - 10pm
0808 800 0122 Answered by men on selected evenings from 7pm - 10pm
24 hour answer services will provide latest times that lines will be open.