Getting Help

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse and wants support & advice, Inverness Women’s Aid Provides…

  • Individual, tailored one-to-one support and advice from trained, professional staff with a wide range of experience and skills

  • Specialist support for Women and also Family, Children & Young People

  • Outreach service in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey

  • Supported accommodation for women who need somewhere safe & supportive to live while they find alternative housing

  • Support & advice about legal issues, housing, benefits, finances/ budgeting, rights and safety issues and health & social matters.

  • Discreet, safe and confidential service

  • Group work run by IWA staff and mutual support from women experiencing similar problems

Inverness Women's Aid team provides two main services, Outreach Support and Supported Accommodation

 

Outreach Service

We offer an outreach service to women, children and young people living in communities throughout Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey. Our team of specialist Women’s Support Workers support women with finding help with legal issues, money & benefits, housing. We also help clients with dealing with the Police and attending Court & Children’s Reporters proceedings. They also give much needed emotional support and facilitate group  and therapeutic work which can help with recovery. Our Family Support Workers support children, young people and their mums with dealing with the impact of domestic abuse.

 

Supported Accommodation

If clients need accommodation for safety reasons or while they wait to move to alternative housing, we have two &three bedroom flats and bedsits within our premises in Inverness. The flats are homely and comfortable for families with essential facilities such as a laundry room, residents’ lounge and playroom.

Below are some pictures of our accommodation.

Leaving Your Home Safely

  • Leaving an abusive relationship can be challenging and potentially a high risk time for women and their families.

  • If you do decide to or have the opportunity to leave, try to contact IWA, the national Domestic Abuse helpline or the police first so you can get advice & support about how to leave as safely as possible.

  • Have and rehearse an escape plan in case you need to leave at short notice.

  • If you can, pack a bag of essentials including documentation (birth certificate, driving licence, passports, bank details etc), medical essentials and some clothes & toiletries.

  • Alert trusted friends and family to your plan.

  •  Have an agreed code word with family and friends so you can make them aware you’re in danger.

  • Talk to your children about how to make themselves safe if your partner becomes abusive or violent and tell them not to intervene.

  • Teach your children how to call 999 with their name, address, phone number and nature of emergency if needed.

  • Keep important numbers such as Inverness Women’s Aid 01463 220719 and the National Domestic Abuse helpline 0800 027 1234 with you.