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The voice of Scotland’s vibrant voluntary sector

Published by Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

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Legal advice service for abuse survivors expanded

This news post is over 4 years old
 

The Scottish Women’s Rights Centre will run surgeries in Dundee and Inverness.

Two new legal surgeries for women who have experienced abuse will open this month.

The surgeries will be available on appointment once a month from local Women’s Aids groups in Inverness and Dundee.

Women who have suffered from abuse or violence will be able to meet solicitors who can offer tailored legal advice and answer specific questions about their cases.

The surgeries are being run by the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre (SWRC), a partnership programme between Rape Crisis Scotland, JustRight Scotland and the University of Strathclyde Law Clinic.

SWRC provides free legal information, advice, representation and advocacy support to women in Scotland who have experienced or are experiencing gender based violence.

The Centre also offers surgeries in Edinburgh, Forth Valley, Glasgow and Lanarkshire.

Lyndsay Monaghan, SWRC solicitor said: “We are delighted for our expansion into the north of Scotland. We understand that there are barriers to accessing justice specifically associated with living in remote areas. ]

“It is our hope that by expanding the scope of our service we will be able to reach women living in the north of Scotland who are struggling to find legal advice and support.”

Elaine Fetherston, executive manager of Inverness Women’s Aid, added: “We’re excited to be working with the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre on the roll-out of legal surgeries in Highland.

“Getting legal advice can be a significant challenge for women who have experienced domestic abuse and sexual violence. By hosting these sessions in our premises, the advice is being brought to them and that will make a real difference.”

Appointments can be booked by contacting the surgery directly online.