Stalking Awareness Week

Just like other forms of sexual and domestic abuse, stalking is a form of gender-based violence. Anyone can become a victim of stalking. Most people who experience stalking know the person. They could be an ex-partner, a friend, someone you dated or a family member. Stalking is not your fault. It is a tool that an abuser uses to control & intimidate a victim/survivor. Everyone is affected differently by stalking. There is no right or wrong way to feel. If someone has harmed you, it is not your fault.

Read our latest blog to find out more about stalking and tools and help from specialist support services.

Locally, you can get support from Moray Rape Crisis and Moray Women’s Aid

New Webpage about Support for Friends, Family and Partners of Survivors

We have launched a new webpage about the support we offer for friends, family and partners of survivors of sexual violence. 

We understand that sexual violence doesn’t just impact survivors themselves. It can be difficult for family, friends and partners to know what to do, how to support survivors and how to process their own feelings. We offer short blocks of support for people close to survivors who are affected by sexual violence.

Read more on the webpage: www.morayrapecrisis.scot/support-friends-family/ 

January Update from our Sexual Violence Prevention Worker

Harry, our Sexual Violence Prevention Worker, shares an update about her first month back after the winter break, delivering workshops to young people in UHI Moray and Elgin Academy. She also covers her work with students at Elgin Academy who are interested in working on the Equally Safe at Schools programme. 

Read more here: www.morayrapecrisis.scot/news/blog/january-update-from-our-sexual-violence-prevention-worker/ 

We will be closed for the Winter Holidays 2025

We will be closed for the winter holidays. We close at 5pm on Friday 19th December 2025 and reopen at 9am on Monday 5th January 2026.

The winter holidays can be difficult for lots of different reasons. Struggling with difficult feelings, flashbacks and reminders is an unfortunate reality for many survivors. We understand it can be difficult but there is support available. If you are experiencing flashbacks you can read our blog that shares some ways of coping with them here.

Affirmations can also be really powerful tools to help build confidence, reduce anxiety, stress and depression and increase self-worth. They might be helpful to try if you are struggling through the holidays. If you’ve never used affirmations before here’s how you can use them:

1. read them out loud to yourself, you can read them to yourself in the mirror too if you feel comfortable
2. record yourself or someone else you know saying the affirmation and listen back to it a few times, hearing yourself say the affirmations can increase belief in yourself
3. write them down in places you may frequently visit like the fridge or the front door for example, seeing them around the house can remind you of your confidence and self worth.

We’ve compiled a list of affirmations that might be helpful during the winter break:

• I am allowed to make a big deal out of things that feel really big to me.
• No amount of darkness can dim my light
• I am allowed to say no
• I am worthy of peace
• I take each day one at a time
• It’s okay to rest
• Inhale courage, exhale fear
• I find strength even on the darkest nights

If you need support during the winter break, you can contact the Rape Crisis Scotland Helpline. It will be open from 5pm to midnight every night, excluding Christmas Day and Hogmanay, where it will shut an hour earlier at 11pm.
? 08088 010302
? 07537 410027*
? support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
? www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
*the text number will appear in your itemised phone bill