A rape crisis centre has warned it may have to close without urgent government funding.
Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis Centre (GCRC), the largest of its kind in Scotland, said services are at risk due to a lack of "urgent and adequate" investment and a reliance on short-term, insecure funding, reports the BBC.
The warning comes amid a sharp rise in demand.
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The centre recorded more than 40,000 contact points with survivors aged 13 to 79 last year, a 42% increase on the previous 12 months.
Claudia Macdonald-Bruce, director of GCRC, said: "For the fourth consecutive year, demand for our services has continued to grow, yet we remain trapped in a cycle of short-term, insecure funding.
"That reality speaks volumes about the level of care and dignity currently afforded to women and girls, not just in our area, but across Scotland.
"Survivors of rape and sexual violence deserve far better.
"Women and girls in Scotland deserve to live free from the fear or experience of sexual violence, but without urgent and adequate investment, we are being forced to consider difficult and painful decisions about the future of our services.
"Survivors are being let down by an unjust and illogical system."
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The Scottish Government said it was committed to addressing violence against women and girls and was considering funding decisions beyond March 2026.
GCRC has been allocated £549,483 for 2025-26 from the Government’s Delivering Equally Safe Fund (DESF), and an additional £171,000 from the Victim-Centred Approach Fund (VCAF) for justice system advocacy.
However, Claudia said the centre needs an additional £500,000 next year to continue current service levels.
The centre also highlighted the "increased complexity" of cases, with survivors needing more support to navigate the justice system and cope with court backlogs.
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Equalities minister Kaukab Stewart said: "We remain steadfast in our commitment to preventing and eradicating all violence against women and girls and addressing the underlying attitudes and systems that perpetuate it."
The Scottish Government is investing £21.6 million through the DESF in 2025-26 to support organisations working to prevent violence and help survivors, and a further £32 million through the VCAF to 23 organisations from 2025-27.
Kaukab said confirmation of funding beyond March 2026 is expected to be made as part of the Scottish budget process.
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