Millions more for abuse charities

Collette Stevenson has welcomed an additional £2million of Scottish Government funding for Rape Crisis Scotland and Scottish Women’s Aid.

The East Kilbride MSP hailed the cash injection, saying it will ensure that more sexual assault survivors and victims of domestic abuse can access the help they need, when they need it.

Last year, both organisations supported more than 27,000 women and girls. A total grant value of £2,077,703 will be split between Rape Crisis Scotland (£1,167,000) and Scottish Women’s Aid (£910,703).

This is on top of the £19 million provided annually by the Scottish Government to support women through the Delivering Equally Safe fund. It will go to the centres facing the most significant issues with waiting lists, including refuge places and counselling and will continue until the end of the next financial year.

Ms Stevenson said: “This additional funding from the Scottish Government will ensure that more sexual assault survivors and victims of domestic abuse in East Kilbride can access the help they need, when they need it.

“It is still the case that too many women in East Kilbride suffer as a result of gender-based violence, but those who do can trust in the fact that Rape Crisis and Women’s Aid are always there, on the frontline, and this additional funding provides them with greater financial security.

“The Scottish Government is rightly doing what it can to support victims and survivors, and is working to address underlying misogynistic attitudes and prejudices so that we can eradicate the abuse that so many women in East Kilbride still suffer from.”

Rape Crisis Scotland chief executive Sandy Brindley said: “We are delighted that funding has been extended for 10 of our member centres who were facing the most significant issues with waiting lists. This funding will help Rape Crisis Centres across Scotland to continue to provide specialist support to survivors of sexual violence.”