Finding a Safe House
If your partner is abusive and you don’t have alternative accommodation, you may want to consider finding a Safe House. Also known as refuges, these are safe places that allow you to leave your partner and make informed decisions about your next move. You can also access specialist support services for victims of domestic abuse, as well as practical advice about things like housing and the law.
Safe houses vary from place to place – they can be like a shared house, where you have a communal kitchen and bathroom but your own bedroom, or they can be self-contained flats or studio apartments. If you have children you will probably have to share with them as it is rare for each family member to have their own bedroom.
The addresses of safe houses are confidential, which means you won’t have to worry about your abusive partner tracking you down.
You can access a Safe House by calling the 24 hour Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0800 027 1234 or Shelter’s free housing advice helpline on 0808 800 4444. You can also ask the police, social work department or an organisation such as Women’s Aid to refer you to a refuge.
Related links:
How to Deal with Harassment and Stalking