About Us

South West Rape Crisis & Sexual Abuse Centre was set up in 1996 to provide support and counselling to women and young women in Dumfries & Galloway who had experienced sexual violence.

In September 2009 we secured funding from Fairer Scotland Fund to offer the same service to men and young men who have experienced childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault or rape. As an organisation we are delighted to be able to offer this non gender specific service.

SWRC&SAC provides long or short-term emotional support, practical information and advocacy to survivors of sexual violence and their non abusing partners, families and friends. This support is offered through counselling, outreach and the Cosy House. Whilst we usually support face to face we can also provide support via telephone, letter and email.

Counselling:
SWRC&SAC offers individual counselling sessions either in our Centre in Dumfries or at a venue convenient to you. We have a counsellor based in Wigtownshire twice a week, in Upper Nithsdale once a week and in Annandale & Eskdale once a week. We really do strive to ensure that the rural nature of Dumfries & Galloway does not prevent anyone gaining the support they need.

Speaking to a counsellor allows you the chance to work on the effects that experiences of sexual violence may have on your life. Undoubtedly there will be effects, no matter whether the abuse was recent or decades ago. In a safe, relaxed environment you will be able to explore and make sense of what happened to you. You may decide to consider your coping mechanisms and decide which ones are still working well for you and which, if any, have out lived their usefulness and from there perhaps develop new, healthier ways of coping.

Alas no counsellor has a magic wand that can make everything all better. But many people, men and women, find that talking with someone who will not judge or condemn them, or tell them what to do, really can make a difference in how they feel about themselves. We will listen, we will believe in you and we will help you to look at and accept yourself. We will work at your pace and in a manner that you feel comfortable with. Please contact us if you feel you are interested in starting counselling with SWRC&SAC.