Information for women
We've got your back
Border Women’s Aid has helped hundreds of women to find better lives, free from domestic abuse. It’s the only domestic abuse service in the Scottish Borders which is run by women for women.
We are women supporting women to gain freedom from abusive relationships. We know that one size does not fit all, so ours is a person-centred approach, with all women being treated as individuals by our professionally trained team. We work hard to support every woman, whatever her background, ethnicity, sexuality, or religion, who reaches out to us.
That means that we’re not here to judge you or tell you what to do. We will listen, believe you, and support you in exploring your options and deciding what is best for you (and if necessary, your children). Everything you tell us will be kept confidential. (You can find out more here.) We’ll help you build on your strengths, to acquire the information and develop the skills you need to determine your future.
Safe refuge accommodation, followed by specialist support for up to a year after leaving the refuge, is offered to women (and their children) who have left abusive homes. Additionally, through our outreach service we support many women in the community, including some who currently are living with abuse, as they plan for a life beyond. Click on the buttons below to find out more about our refuge and our outreach service.
“You’re amazing and your support is what keeps me going. You have no idea what you’ve done for me and continue to do.”
Key facts about domestic abuse in Scotland
- One in five women in Scotland will experience domestic abuse in their adult life
- 65,251 incidents of domestic abuse were recorded by the police in Scotland in 2020/21
- Women were the victims in 82% of the reported incidents of domestic abuse in 2020/21
- Younger women in the 16-24 age group are the most vulnerable
- In the Scottish Borders there were over 1000 domestic abuse incidents reported to police in 2020/21
