Three rape crisis centres have come together to write to the Scottish Government expressing "profound alarm" at its decision not to uplift funding for frontline services.
Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis (GCRC), Lanarkshire Rape Crisis and Rape Crisis Ayrshire have written to the government saying the decision not to increase funding through its Delivering Equally Safe (DES) fund runs "counter to its stated aim of tackling violence against women and girls."
They are now calling on the government to "urgently rethink the DES fund".
READ NEXT:
- Rape crisis centre 'heartbroken' after closing specialist services waiting lists
- Glasgow rape crisis centre warns of 'west of Scotland bias' amid major funding row
- Glasgow rape crisis centre faces closure as they issue 'urgent' warning
The letter read: "We are writing to you with profound alarm and deep sadness regarding the Scottish Government's choice to not uplift funding for frontline services through its Delivering Equally Safe (DES) fund.
"The actions of the government run counter to its stated aim of tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG).
"The significant real-terms reduction in funding will have a direct impact on survivors of rape and sexual assault, and this comes as violence against women and girls is on the rise."
Centre bosses say they are struggling to deliver on their critical services as their funding is outpaced by rising costs and increasing demand.
The letter states that the DES fund has remained "effectively static since 2021" despite a consistent growth in demand.
The centre said that a two-year settlement announced recently "equates to £3,918,216 less in real terms than five years ago".
GCRC supported almost 3100 survivors in 2024/25 and recorded more than 40,000 contact points, a 42% increase on the previous year.
The centre announced today (February 17) that it has been forced to close new referrals to waiting lists for the emotional therapeutic support and triage service and RUBY service from 8am this morning.
They said the decision was not "taken lightly" but has been made to support the 182 survivors who are currently waiting for the services, amounting to a waiting period of up to 226 days.
A formal review of the decision is scheduled to take place on Monday, March 30.
READ NEXT:
- Pioneering North Glasgow rape crisis hubs win award
- Former party leader said delay to Peter Murrell trial 'absolutely stinks'
- 'Unmanageable overcrowding' - Glasgow flats set to be approved despite objections
- Brute repeatedly STAMPED on young girl's head to 'danger of her life'
Meanwhile, the STAR Centre serving Ayrshire and Arran is urgently reviewing with its board what a standstill annual grant of just over £147,000 from DES for the next two years will mean "to its already compromised ability to support survivors".
The letter says Lanarkshire Rape Crisis Centre is also making similar considerations.
It continued: "It is extremely difficult to reconcile public commitments to tackling violence against women and girls with a Budget that reduces real term value of the very services designed to respond to it.
"We should be funding action to tackle the rise in VAWG.
"Instead, we can't even keep pace with supporting survivors.
"This Budget tells women and girls that their government and the people elected to represent them don't care, don't prioritise them, and are actively choosing to deny support for them in the wake of horrific and preventable crimes."
It comes after we previously reported GCRC director Claudia Macdonald-Bruce warned of a "west of Scotland bias" amid warnings of chronic underfunding and said its services were at risk of closure without "urgent and adequate" financial investment.
Staff had been lobbying the Scottish Government and Rape Crisis Scotland, which administers the funds, for additional support as demand soars, but told our sister title The Herald there has been "no real movement".
The Scottish Government allocated £2,012,872 to Rape Crisis Scotland to provide advocacy support to survivors in the justice system.
GCRC’s allocation from the national organisation was £171,000 in 2024-25, with similar funding levels continuing in subsequent years.
Glasgow’s allocation was made up to £181,336 after underspends by other centres were redistributed.
However, despite being Scotland’s largest rape crisis centre, serving six local authority areas, it receives just over an eighth of the entire fund.
Sally Brindley, chief executive of Rape Crisis Scotland, previously said there was "no way" to provide additional resources without taking them away from elsewhere.
She said: "We agree that there needs to be additional support and that it should be based on the need for services in each area of the country.
"Earlier this year, we wrote to the Scottish Government to ask for increased advocacy funding for all rape crisis centres, proportionate to each local service’s individual demands."
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "The Scottish Government remains steadfast in its commitment to preventing and eradicating all violence against women and girls and addressing the underlying attitudes and systems that perpetuate it.
"We are looking closely at the immediate issue facing Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis."
Share