Author JK Rowling has founded a new support service to help women who have experienced sexual violence “recover from their trauma”.

Beira’s Place in Edinburgh will be a support and advocacy service for women in the Lothians aged 16 and over.

The service will be free for women who have experienced sexual violence or abuse at any time in their lives.

Organisers said it has been set up in response to demand from female survivors for a women-only service, as one is currently not available in the area.

Ms Rowling, who is also the project’s funder, said: “I founded Beira’s Place to provide what I believe is currently an unmet need for women in the Lothians area.

“As a survivor of sexual assault myself, I know how important it is that survivors have the option of women-centred and women-delivered care at such a vulnerable time.

“Beira’s Place will offer an increase in capacity for services in the area and will, I hope, enable more women to process and recover from their trauma.”

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The launch comes days before next week’s final vote on the Scottish government’s plans to reform the Gender Recognition Act, of which Ms Rowling has been an outspoken critic.

The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, currently working its way through Holyrood, proposes to remove the requirement for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria as a condition of acquiring a gender recognition certificate.

Concerns have been raised in recent years about the impact the Bill could have on single-sex spaces, with some critics saying it could put women at risk – a charge the Scottish government has repeatedly denied.

Beira’s Place will be run by paid staff made up of experienced support workers, headed by chief executive Isabelle Kerr and deputy chief executive Susan Domminney, who between them have 32 years of experience running Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis.

Ms Kerr said: “Violence against women and girls is an issue that crosses all cultures, classes, and religions.

“These are gendered crimes that are overwhelmingly perpetrated by men and disproportionately experienced by women.

“Beira’s Place recognises that effective sexual violence services must be independent, needs-led, and provide responsive, women-centred services so that they are free from the pressure of current political agendas.

“We are committed to ensuring that our service is free, confidential, and accessible to women survivors who may need it.”

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Beira’s Place is named after Beira, the Scottish goddess of winter.

As well as Ms Rowling, the board of directors includes former prison governor Rhona Hotchkiss, previous Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont, GP Margaret McCartney, and director of For Women Scotland, Susan Smith.

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