Guide
Access support for gender-based violence
Whether you’ve experienced gender-based violence recently or in the past, the University of Dundee is here to support you to take whichever steps you want to take next
Updated on 4 November 2025
If you are off-campus and it’s an emergency, call 999.
If you are on campus and it’s an emergency which requires an ambulance, call the Security emergency line on +44 (0)1382 384141 and the Security Team will connect you to an ambulance.
If no ambulance is required, contact the Security Team on +44 (0)1382 385850 or if you are close by to one of the Assistance points installed around campus, press the red button to be connected to the Security Team.
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a term for acts of abuse rooted in a system of unequal power. GBV can affect anyone at any point during their lives and includes abuse of power dynamics such as violence against women, as well as homophobic, sexist, or transphobic acts. The below categories of GBV are disproportionately perpetrated by men against women, but people of all genders can be victims or perpetrators.
It affects people in different ways, but it can often lead to victims/survivors feeling alone, isolated, angry, or worried. It can also lead to depression, anxiety, flashbacks, sleep problems, problems with eating, or being unable to concentrate. Some people experiencing GBV may not experience any impact to their day-to-day life, but their experience is just as valid.
It is important to get help from an appropriate service if you have experienced, or are currently experiencing, any form of GBV.
To quickly find the correct service to contact, click or tap one of the options below:
- Domestic abuse, coercive control, and financial abuse
- Rape, child sexual abuse, and sexual assault
- Stalking, sexual harassment and intimidation
- Homophobic, transphobic, and LGBTQ+ abuse
- Commercial sexual exploitation including trafficking, prostitution, pornography, and sex work
- Forced marriage, 'honour'-based abuse, FGM, and dowry-related abuse
- Non-consensual intimate image sharing (revenge porn), and digital monitoring
Immediate safety and wellbeing
If the abuse you are experiencing is ongoing, contact one of the relevant services below to receive support designed to increase your safety while you decide what to do next.
You can also download the University’s SafeZone app which allows you to quickly alert the security team if you need help on campus.
If you have any injuries, or there is risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections in relation to abuse you have experienced, set up an appointment with your GP or Sexual and Reproductive Health Services.
Domestic abuse help
Dundee Women's Aid: Provides a range of confidential services including information, support and temporary refuge accommodation. They do not discriminate on the grounds of disability, sexual orientation, religion and belief, race, or transgender identity.
Contact: 01382 207099
Shakti Women’s Aid: Supports black minority ethnic (BME) women who are experiencing or who have previously experienced domestic abuse.
Contact: 01382 20 7095
Scotland's Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline: Provides confidential information and support to anyone affected by forced marriage or domestic abuse.
Contact: 0800 027 1234
Respect Men's Advice Line: An advice line for male victims of domestic abuse.
Contact: 0808 801 0327
Rape and sexual assault help
Rape Crisis Scotland: Provides a national rape crisis helpline and email support for anyone of any gender affected by sexual violence.
Contact: 0808 801 0302
Sexual Assault Response Co-ordination Service (SARCS): The NHS Scotland sexual assault self-referral service supports victim-survivors to access forensic medical examinations within 7 days of a rape or sexual assault, without making a report to the police.
Contact: 0800 148 8888
Survivors UK: Provides support, counselling, and guidance to men and non-binary individuals who have experienced sexual violence.
Contact: Online Chat (Available from 12:00 - 20:00)
Stalking and sexual harassment help
The National Stalking Helpline: Provides information and advice on support and options available to individuals impacted by stalking.
Contact: 0808 802 0300
Homophobic, transphobic, or LGBTQ+ abuse help
Galop: A charity that supports LGBTQ+ people affected by sexual violence.
Contact: 0800 999 5428
LGBT+ Helpline Scotland: Specific support for forced conversion practices.
Contact: 0800 464 7000
Sex work, pornography, and trafficking help
TARA Scotland: A self-referral support service for women who have been trafficked or are victims of commercial sexual exploitation.
Contact: 0141 2767 724
Encompass: Provides support to women involved in selling or exchanging sex in Scotland.
Forced marriage, FGM, and dowry-related abuse help
Karma Nirvana: A helpline for forced marriages and honour crimes.
Contact: 0800 599 9247
GOV.UK Forced Marriage Helpline: Government service to help prevent or end forced marriages.
Contact: 020 7008 0151
Revenge porn help
Revenge Porn Helpline: A service that supports adult victims of intimate image abuse.
Contact: 0345 600 0459
On-campus support
We understand that experiencing gender-based violence can be extremely isolating, frightening, and upsetting. We are committed to ensuring that our campuses are a safe place and that we support students to achieve their full potential. We have made our statement on GBV available. If you have been affected by gender-based violence and would like to speak to someone, you can expect to be treated with respect and in a non-judgemental and supportive environment.
You can access confidential help from the Student Support Team. Our team are trained and experienced professionals who will be able to offer support and guidance. They won’t pressure you to do anything but will discuss your options and enable you to make the best decision for you.
If your mental health is significantly affected, you can access support directly from the University.
Reporting an incident to the police
If you are considering making a report, Police Scotland have prepared some advice on sexual crimes and domestic abuse.
You can also find legal advice by contacting the Scottish Women's Rights Centre.
Because police investigations and any court process can take some time to complete, it is important that you set up support during this period either on or off-campus. You might also find the Scottish Government’s publication about help and support after rape or sexual assault helpful.
We can offer you support to report this to the police. Please contact the Student Support Team or one of our staff First Responders.
You might also want to speak to one of the external organisations listed above to discuss making a report to the police if you aren't yet sure whether you want to.
For cases of rape or sexual assault, you might feel unsure about reporting to the police but would like to keep this option open in the future. The NHS Sexual Assault Referral Co-ordination Service (SARCS) can support victim/survivors in some cases to access forensic medical examinations within 7 days of a rape or sexual assault, without making a report to the police. Forensic evidence can then be stored for 26 months enabling you to take time with your decision. You can contact SARCS to explore this option, and read the guide on the NHS website for more information.
If you decide you want to make a police report, please call 101 if it is a non-emergency situation or 999 in an emergency.
Some forms of GBV can also be reporting to Police Scotland using this online form.
Alternatively, you might want to contact Crimestoppers where you can make an anonymous report.
Reporting an incident to the University
If you have experienced gender-based violence and the perpetrator was another student or member of staff, you might want to report this to the University of Dundee. We take all reports of gender-based violence seriously and it could lead to the incident being investigated under the Student Discipline Procedure or the Dignity and Respect at Work and Study Procedure.
If you want to report an incident, use the online reporting form in the link at the bottom of the page. The concern form will be reviewed by the Safeguarding team, and you will receive a response within 5 working days to advise you on next steps. Alternatively, you might want to meet with a member of the Student Support Team to discuss this. Information about Safeguarding and this form can be found on our Safeguarding web page.
If a criminal investigation of the same incident or situation is underway, the University might wait to conduct its own investigation to ensure it does not interfere in due process. However, where there might be any immediate safety concerns, the University would act.
If you do not want to name the perpetrator, the action the University can take will be limited. Support will still be available to you and your right not to reveal the name or details of the perpetrator will be respected. You might want to contact Crimestoppers where you can make an anonymous report.
If you are worried about the safety or behaviour of a friend or colleague, you can also report this to the university using the concern form below.
Support for students
You can speak with a member of the Student Support Team, in confidence, to explore your support and reporting options. Contact the team by filling in this form, and the team will respond within two working days to invite you for a support meeting. Our team are trained and experienced professionals who will be able to offer support and guidance. They won’t pressure you to do anything but will discuss your options and support you to make the best decision for you.
Other support options available within the University include:
Use this form to raise any concerns you have about a member of staff, student, or other member of the University of Dundee community.