Government steps in with offer of vital funding to rape charity

A CHARITY that supports victims of rape which closed its waiting list after BBC Children in Need axed funding has been bailed out by the Scottish Government.

Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis claimed their request for funds was refused because it did not help enough men, forcing the centre to turn people away.

The Scottish Government, which provides £217,885 annually to Glasgow Rape Crisis, yesterday announced it would make up the £35,000 shortfall.

In an attempt to secure funds the centre asked the public for donations through a Just Giving page. It needed money to operate the ROSEY Project, a service which provides support for young women and girls as well as prevention programmes in schools.

The Just Giving page was launched on Wednesday evening and by yesterday afternoon it had raised £10,000.

Yesterday, the centre said that it was having to cancel weekly drop in sessions for women aged between 13-25 due to the shortage of finance.

But Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie said the Scottish Government would make up the shortfall.

She added: ‘I’m pleased that we can provide this emergency funding which I hope will allow Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis to reopen its waiting list and continue to deliver the same level of service.’

Rape Crisis manager Isabelle Kerr said: ‘We are absolutely delighted with the news from the Scottish Government. We have been quite overwhelmed by the support we’ve had from across Scotland and beyond.’

BBC Children in Need denies the decision to cut the centre’s funding was based on its female-only policy. A spokesman said: ‘Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis’s three-year grant recently came to the end of its term, and their application for new funding was unsuccessful.’

‘Delighted with the news’