An “invaluable” project which helps to keep women and young people safe from domestic abuse can continue after a funding package was secured.

Bailie Paul McCabe, SNP, the chair of the Safe Glasgow partnership, has welcomed an agreement which has ensured there will be a future for the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC).

He said the funding will help reduce levels of repeat victimisation, serious harm and even murder of women and young people in the city.

The service continues to receive “a high volume of referrals” in Glasgow. In the first eight months of 2023, over 750 high risk victims of domestic abuse were referred to MARAC as well as almost 1,200 children and young people.

Glasgow Times:

Bailie McCabe said: “It’s a sad fact that domestic abuse remains a significant community and personal safety issue for far too many women, children and young people in Glasgow.

“It is the single biggest cause of homelessness of women, children and young people in the city.   “For almost 20 years, MARAC has identified and responded to the needs of high-risk victims of domestic abuse and delivered the necessary actions to maximise the safety and well-being of the thousands of victims throughout that time.”

The two-year package will fund a new full-time post and extend the hours of existing MARAC coordinators. It will also refresh its processes to deliver better assistance to those at risk.

Bailie McCabe, who represents the Linn ward on Glasgow City Council, said the £120,000 award would ensure the service could continue after several months of uncertainty.

Members of the Safe Glasgow partnership are set to hear tomorrow (August 24) that a multi-agency funding formula has been agreed between the council, Police Scotland, the city’s health and social partnership and social landlord Wheatley Group.

A report to the partnership added: “The funding agreed has secured MARAC’s future for two years and includes the appointment of a third MARAC coordinator.”

MARAC is used by multi-agency partners across each of Scotland’s 32 councils to share information and safety plans for high-risk victims of domestic abuse.

The service has been reliant on funding support from partners, and, with no single funding model supporting MARAC across the country, there has been a need for clear and sustainable funding in Glasgow.

Bailie McCabe said: “All partners clearly agree that the work of MARAC is invaluable in keeping women and young people safe, sometimes from the most extreme violence.

“I’m delighted that all our shared hard work has given us all the certainty that too many vulnerable Glaswegians need.”