Cuts force Rape Crisis to close waiting list
Labour MSP warns SNP of risk of ‘betrayal’ over funds
A RAPE Crisis centre has closed its waiting list for victims amid a row over scots Government funding coming to an end.
Edinburgh Rape Crisis has a backlog of nearly 300 survivors and has stopped any more going on its books.
The Daily Record reported in December that charity Rape Crisis Scotland (RCS) could shed nearly 30 posts due to a funding crisis.
Ministers awarded RCS more than £1.1million last year to tackle spiralling waits but funding came to an end.
New figures reveal the agonising waits experienced by rape victims.
As of December, a 12-month wait is in place for one-to-one services in Ayrshire, while in Glasgow and Clyde it is 11 months.
Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre reported: “Waiting list for adult support closed. 297 survivors currently on waiting list for support.”
Labour MSP Monica Lennon said: “Ministers must provide this charity with funds to tackle the backlog and put these services on a sustainable long-term footing. Anything else would be a betrayal.”
Sandy Brindley, chief executive of RCS, said sustainable and long-term funding was needed.
The Scottish Government said they were investing record levels of funding to ensure services to support women and girls who have been affected by violence.
They added: “Our Delivering Equally Safe fund is providing £19million per year to support 121 projects from 112 organisations that focus on early intervention, prevention, and support for victims including the Rape Crisis Scotland helpline and Rape Crisis Centres throughout Scotland.”