Who We Support And Our Services
We respect the courage and strength it takes to speak out about your experience whether it has been a recent assault or it happened a long time ago. When you contact us we will get in touch with you and talk through what support we offer and offer you an initial appointment. Our specialist trauma-informed support services are open to all survivors aged 12 and over, who have experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives, by abusers of any gender. This includes rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse, child sexual abuse and commercial sexual exploitation.
We also provide support to family, friends and partners and agency workers who are in a supportive role. We will listen, believe all survivors aged 12 and over, of any: race; ethnicity; age; sexual orientation; disability; gender identity (and non-binary people); class/social status; immigration status; religious and cultural background. If English is not you your first language we can arrange for an interpreter. If you are Deaf or hard of hearing we can provide support via email. We can also arrange for a British Sign Language or signed English interpreter.
There are two steps to our building and we have a portable ramp to facilitate wheelchair access available by request. Please note, we do not have the space for drop-in’s and support is only offered by appointment.
Women only services
We have two different times for support:
Women only times (women who were born female):
– Mondays 5–7pm – Fridays 9am–12pm
Women only times (including trans women):
– Wednesdays 3–7pm – Thursdays 9am–1pm
The centre is located at 17 Claremont Crescent, Edinburgh EH7 4HX.
We understand that these times may not be suitable for everyone. In such a scenario, we will actively work with you to identify a suitable time and venue for your support. We take a proactive approach to make support accessible and deliver support in various outreach spaces.
In your initial appointment, your worker will give you a clear overview of the services that we offer to all genders. This meeting will be held by a born female Counselling Support Practitioner and will include an exploration of the type of support you require and would benefit from. This conversation will also explore any concerns or preferences you have around support, and who you receive it from.
You will be supported by someone who meets your needs and preferences. It is important to us to provide safe access to all survivors of sexual violence, and we will continue to do so. At any stage if you are unsure about anything or have any questions, please get in touch with us.
LGBTI+
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and non-binary (LGBTI+) people may experience negative attitudes in society and prejudice, and have concerns about public revelation of their sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status. Our staff have been fully trained to be sensitive, informed and respectful in all our spaces through specialist awareness raising training. Our service is open to anyone who self identifies as a woman, trans woman, trans man or non-binary person. We offer a person-centred service to all survivors who use our service. Read ERCC’s Trans Inclusion Statement here. In 2020 we were awarded the LGBT Scotland Gold Charter Mark in recognition of our work to make ERCC a LGBTI+ inclusive organisation and reduce barriers to our service.
CONFIDENTIALITY
All our support services are free and we offer appointments on weekdays up to 7pm. What you tell us remains confidential within our support team. We will not tell anyone that you have contacted us, unless you want us to. However, there are some circumstances when we are required by law to share information (please see our safeguarding page for further information).
OUR SUPPORT SERVICES
>> Recent rape or sexual assault
>> STAR project for young survivors aged 12 – 18
>> SIA project – survivors from black and minority ethnic backgrounds
>> Outreach in East Lothian and Midlothian
>> Art therapy