Refuge needed more than ever
Women fleeing domestic abuse is rising
More women than ever before are coming forward to seek help from Stirling and District Women’s Aid, with figures expected to top 1000 this year.
New legislation passed last week by the Scottish Parliament, while welcomed, is also expected to increase future demand.
Stirling Council’s community planning and regeneration committee heard recently that the charity typically provides support to more than 800 women locally in the course of a year.
Half-year figures for 2017-18, however, stand at 685 individual women seeking help, compared with 828 for the full year in 201617. A total of 1,973 calls and visits have been made to the service in six months compared with 3,517 in the previous full year.
On any night, the organisation may provide accommodation for up to 11 families and as many as 19 children.
Manager of Stirling and District Women’s Aid, Jessica Lindohf, said: “We have had a really busy year and we are estimating that by the end of the financial year we will have been working with and supporting over 1000 victims of domestic abuse in Stirlingshire,
“In addition we will have provided intensive support for over 100 children thorough one to one support.
“We have found over the last few years that we have been increasingly busy and that the number of victims coming forward and needing our support is increasing.
“At the same time the funding climate is becoming increasingly competitive and challenging. we are supporting more and more victims but with the same number of staff members which is a huge challenge.”
The new Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill passed at Holyrood last week is also expected to increase demand for the charity’s support.
Once the Bill becomes law, it will provide a statutory offence of domestic abuse against a partner or ex-partner – including psychological abuse.
Jessica said: “We see this as an important step in acknowledging that domestic abuse is not just violence but also other abusive behaviour which serves to break down someone’s self confidence and self worth leaving them isolated and unable to break away.
“For many women the physical violence is easier to identify as wrong but when someone is breaking you down mentally, bullying you, belittling you and aims to strip away your independence and self worth this is often harder to identify.
“This bill clearly states that coercive control, emotional abuse is wrong, it is against the law and this will help all those victims who blame themselves who minimise the abuse that is going on because they do not suffer violence.
“We aexpect it is going to take time to implement the law to the full but we are also expecting that this will mean our service will be busier than ever as those who have been suffering emotional abuse and coercive control in silence might find the courage to come forward and get the support they need.”
Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford said all parties had come together to tackle “such sickening behaviour”.
He added: “Attitudes towards domestic abuse have evolved in recent years.
“More people are speaking up now and with this legislation, more people will receive the justice they deserve.”
Stirling Council’s public safety committee convener Councillor Maureen Bennison added: “It is also important to remember that third party reporting can help save lives.
“If you think someone is suffering, make sure you seek advice from Police Scotland about what you can do to help.”