SOLACE is an innovative, publicly funded project providing free legal advice to victim-survivors of sexual violence in Scotland, age 18 and over, who cases are being heard in the High Court.
How can SOLACE help?
We offer legal advice on a wide range of issues arising as part of the criminal justice process. Some examples are:
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Decisions by the police not to take any further action on your case
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Victims’ right to review a decision by the Crown Office not to prosecute
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Privacy issues, including applications to obtain your private records (e.g. medical, social work or counselling records) and application to introduce your sexual history at trial
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Appeals, including applications to the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission, and parole applications
If you think your case would benefit from legal advice, contact can be made with the SOLACE Project via the process outlined in the next tile. We will let you know if we can assist.
How can I access this service?
The SOLACE Project operates on a referral basis, so you will need someone to refer your case to us.
This could be:
- A Rape Crisis Advocacy Worker,
- A support worker in another organisation,
- Someone from the NHS,
- or a justice agency such as the police.
The worker making the referral should email solaceteam@proton.me or call 07484 447467.
What we do not cover
We do not provide advice on criminal injuries or applications for criminal injuries compensation. We generally don't provide advice on civil matters.
Please see information on other organisations that can support you with these areas:
- For advice on civil matters, please contact Scottish Women’s Rights Centre (SWRC)
- Sexual violence support services
- Other support services
For more and resources on the criminal justice process in Scotland in relation to sexual offences, see our Guide for Victim-Survivors of Sexual Crime below and visit the Emma Ritch Law Clinic webpage.
What to expect
Once you have been referred to us for legal advice and have contacted us, we will arrange a meeting with one of our solicitors.
We offer meetings in-person at our office in Glasgow and online meetings. It may also be possible to arrange a meeting elsewhere.
We will offer you as much choice as we can around arranging this and there is the option to being someone for support, including an advocacy worker.
A Guide for Victim-Survivors of Sexual Crime
The frist resource of its kind for Scotland, this guide is designed to support victim-survivors by providing accessible and sensitive information about each stage of the High Court Criminal Process:
Our aim is to provide a safe, respectful and comfortable environment for victim-survivors and we will do our best to work with you in the best way for you.
We are guided by the following principles: Confidentiality, Choice, Safety, Trustworthiness and Transparency, Collaboration.
- Confidentiality: We offer a private meeting space. Everyone involved with the Law Clinic has signed confidentiality agreements and we respect the sensitivity and privacy of the information that we receive from our clients. Information provided to a solicitor is protected and cannot be shared without your permission.
- Choice: We always aim to offer you choice about whether you meet in-person or online, how we communicate with you and other aspects of the experience.
- Safety: Our meeting room is a safe space. Client wellbeing is our priority, and clients you can take breaks or end meetings at any time. We offer you the option to bring someone for support (as long as they are not a witness in the case).
- Trustworthiness and transparency: On the day a lawyer will discuss your case with you, explain the legal process and provide relevant legal advice. Terms of Business and a Privacy Notice will be issued to you after the meeting.
- Collaboration: We work with clients and share information to help empower you to make decisions. We always welcome feedback on how we deliver our legal services.