A 'matter of life and death' for women and children facing abuse
The cost-of-living crisis could be a “matter of life and death” for women and children experiencing domestic abuse, campaigners have warned.
Scottish Women’s Aid is calling on the Scottish Government to set up a dedicated fund, designed to help women experiencing abuse with the costs of leaving.
Marsha Scott, chief executive of the charity, said: “With winter upon us and costs spiralling, without access to additional funds to support them, women must choose between staying with abusers or experiencing homelessness and destitution.”
She made the comments as Scottish Women’s Aid launched its #Costofleaving campaign as it begins 16 days of activism to end gender-based violence.
It wants those fleeing abusive relationships to be able to access cash to help with “essential crisis costs” as they wait for benefits money to come though.
The charity said that, while a recommendation for this had been accepted two years ago, “this fund is yet to materialise and women and children are suffering as a result”.
Dr Scott said: “Women experiencing domestic abuse face a cost-of-living crisis every day. As do their children.
“We know the Scottish Government shares our goal of ending men’s violence against women, but we are concerned that the needs of women and children experiencing domestic abuse have slipped down the priority list.
“Children’s and women’s needs must be a headline in Scotland’s response to the cost-of-living crisis, not a footnote explaining why they are an afterthought.
“Strong leadership and a demonstration of political will are required.
"We’re calling on the Scottish Government and Parliament to keep the promises they’ve made to women and children experiencing domestic abuse and take urgent action on practical steps that will help them.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We’re very concerned about the additional hardship women and children experiencing domestic abuse are facing as a result of the cost-ofliving crisis.
“We have allocated almost £3 billion in this financial year to help – including £1 billion in providing services and financial support not available elsewhere in the UK.
“Aswellassupportthrough our delivering equally safe fund – which is providing £24 million to help tackle domestic abuse – and our forced marriage helpline, we’ve widened access to the best start grant pregnancy and baby payment.”
Meanwhile, Scotland’s Children’s Commissioner has said compulsory installations of pre-payment meters should be banned due to the impact it has on struggling families.
Bruce Adamson is urging Ofgem to take a tougher line with energy companies.
He said energy suppliers also need to do more to identify vulnerable households and provide them with support.
In a letter to the regulator, the commissioner said prepayment meters put struggling families at severe risk of being disconnected.
Ofgem’s recent market compliance review identified weaknesses in energy companies’ practices, including failing to identify vulnerabilities before pre-payment meters are installed.
Mr Adamson wrote: “Ofgem needs to take a more active regulatory approach, rather than a watching brief.”
The commissioner also urged Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley to amend the threshold for the priority services register from children under five to under 18.