Sex attack victim says ‘rape clause’ could have driven her to suicide

A RAPE victim told Holyrood that having to disclose her ordeal for benefits could have forced her to commit suicide.

The ‘heartbreaking’ testimony from a woman who had her rapist’s child was read out by Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale yesterday during a debate on the so-called ‘rape clause’.

Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson, criticised by all other parties over the policy, said it should be kept under review by the UK Government.

MSPs backed a motion calling on UK ministers to scrap a two-child cap on tax credits and abolish the rape clause.

Under the policy, parents cannot claim tax credits for more than two children. Women who have a child as a result of rape are exempt – but must disclose their ordeal to a third party and fill in a form to receive the benefits.

In her letter the victim said she kept her ordeal private but suffered a ‘living hell’ regarding questions about her child’s father. She added: ‘There is no way I could complete that awful form of shame, no matter the consequences.

‘Looking back that really could have been the thing that tipped me completely over the edge; the difference between surviving to tell the tale and not.’

Miss Davidson yesterday warned MSPs against ‘wilfully misrepresenting’ the clause, and pointed out that the Scottish Government had the power to abolish it.

She said: ‘I will continue to monitor the way in which this works on the ground.

‘The First Minister uses strong words like shameful. She has the power to act.

‘If she chooses strong words but chooses not to act then that would indeed be shameful.’