Our domestic abuse service provides safe, specialist support for women, children and young people experiencing physical, emotional, sexual or financial abuse. Inverness Women’s Aid opened in 1979 and has provided domestic abuse support in the Highlands ever since. For many victim-survivors, we are their only source of confidential help, advocacy and guidance during crisis. Our presence matters because it provides a trusted route to safety, practical support and informed decision-making at a time when options can feel limited or overwhelming.

Without timely specialist intervention, victim-survivors are more likely to remain in harmful situations, experience escalating violence, suffer financial loss, or face long-term psychological impact. Children living with domestic abuse may be affected in different ways and these impacts can change over time. At IWA we support children and young people who have not had a safe emotional space to talk about what they have experienced. Trained staff help them make sense of what is happening, while also supporting families to understand risk and strengthen safety. When this support is not in place, fear and uncertainty can remain hidden, leaving children more vulnerable even when they appear to be coping.

Our service provides accessible, immediate help at the point of greatest risk. We support women to exit harmful relationships safely and provide refuge accommodation when required. We advocate for victim-survivors and help them navigate safety planning, housing, safeguarding and the Scottish justice system. We also support women when speaking with Police Scotland, including during reporting, and help them understand information-sharing and disclosure processes. Throughout, we work alongside each person at their pace so the support reflects their needs, priorities and choices. We support women, children and young people affected by domestic abuse, including those facing homelessness who need urgent support to secure safe accommodation.