Politicians and the public step in to aid under- threat rape crisis service
POLITICIANS and the public have stepped in to support Glasgow’s Rape Crisis service after its funds were axed.
Last night a crowdfunding page had raised more than £ 10,000 as supporters reacted in shock to news a longstanding BBC Children in Need grant had been withdrawn.
The Scottish Government has also given £ 35,000 to Glasgow & Clyde Rape Crisis as the charity said it had to close its waiting list for all new survivors asking for help.
Centre managers claim they were told the application was turned down this year because the service was not providing adequate support for male survivors.
Children in Need has denied this was a factor in its decision.
Hundreds of people signed a petition calling for the cash to be re- instated.
Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie said the Government will give the Glasgow centre £ 35,000 to plug the funding gap.
Ms McKelvie said she hopes the emergency cash will “allow Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis to reopen its waiting list and continue to deliver the same level of service”.
She added: “We will continue to engage with Rape Crisis Scotland to assess this situation and to take a longterm approach so that local rape crisis centres can continue to provide vital services not just in Glasgow, but across the country.”
The news comes as a second branch of the charity has been forced to close its waiting list for counselling and support.
Managers at the Forth Valley Rape Crisis Centre ( FVRCC) said they deeply regret the move, but they have no choice as they are “still trying to reach a funding agreement with Falkirk Council”.
Both staff and volunteers there are having to deal with an “overwhelming and increasing demand” for help, with the charity saying this is leaving them “exposed to high levels of stress and pressure”.
In June the charity Abused Men In Scotland ( AMIS) said its core grant funding had been withdrawn and it faced winding up both its helpline and one- to- one support network.
Helping around 350 men in Scotland each year, funding for AMIS was withdrawn by the Big Lottery Fund.
A spokesman for BBC Children in Need said: “Although the public are extremely generous in their support each year, we simply don’t have the money to fund all of the projects that apply to us for grants and we have to make some really difficult decisions.”
To donate to Glasgow & Clyde Rape Crisis, see just giving. com/ campaign/ re-open Our Waiting List.