The Scottish Women’s Rights Centre (SWRC) is an innovative collaborative project which brings together the expertise of JustRight Scotland with Rape Crisis Scotland and the University of Strathclyde Law Clinic. The SWRC works with women who have been affected by Gender Based Violence (you can find out more about what Gender Based Violence is here on the SWRC site) and improves their access to justice and experience of the legal processes they may require to come in contact with.
Informed by its direct work with survivors of violence and abuse, the SWRC also seeks to influence national policy, research and training to improve processes and systems to improve outcomes for women. The SWRC also empowers women through the provision of legal guides and other resources assisted by JustRight for All.
Who we are
Sarah Crawford is a JRS co-founder and Senior Associate who heads our legal project for the SWRC. She has been working with women affected by violence for over 8 years and has represented clients in a wide range of issues, including domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment, human trafficking, asylum, access to housing and support, and compensation.
Maria Macleod is a Caseworker for the SWRC and has been working with our legal team since January 2018.
Kate Graham is the SWRC Project Advocacy Worker. She is employed by Rape Crisis Scotland. Kate has an honours degree in Scots Law and a Post Graduate Diploma in Criminal Justice and Penal Change. She has over 10 years of experience in the violence against women sector and is a qualified Independent Domestic Abuse Advocate. Kate provides expert advocacy support to women engaged in the legal processes they may require to come into contact with. You can contact Kate on advocacy@scottishwomensrightscentre.org.uk.
Laura Ann joined our team in November 2018. She is a solicitor with over 7 years’ experience in civil litigation, and is an expert who has taken strategic cases in personal injury law. Laura Ann has represented victims of gender based violence in the civil courts and at the criminal injuries compensation tribunal.
What we do
The SWRC seeks to empower women affected by Gender Based Violence and those working with them through:
- Provision of legal information and advice through its helplines and surgeries
- Specialist legal representation and advocacy support of survivors
- Contributions to policy and research on a local, national and international level informed by the helpline and surgery work, legal representation and advocacy support
- Dissemination of rights based information through professional training and the publication of legal guides and other resources through the SWRC website and social media.
How to get in touch
To find out more information on how to get free confidential legal advice from us through our helplines or legal surgeries, access our legal guides and resources, and find out how to request representation, please have a look at the SWRC’s dedicated website.
