This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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International Women's Day
08/03/2004
New support services for women who
have been trafficked into Scotland or made homeless because
of sex abuse are among a number of projects to share around
£5 million, it was announced today.
Speaking on International Women's
Day, Communities Minister Margaret Curran announced that
nearly 80 projects will receive cash to target women and
children who have been raped, abused, exploited, sexually
assaulted or who live with the threat of domestic
abuse.
In Glasgow, a project for women
trafficked for sexual exploitation will be piloted because
no service exists in Scotland at present.
In Falkirk, support workers will help
women who have experienced sexual violence to sustain
housing tenancies.
And in the Highlands waiting lists for
rape counselling services will be cut and new services
introduced in areas where the service is patchy or
non-existent.
The money will be allocated over the
next two years and comprises:
£3 million for domestic
abuse services - 56 services for women and
children
£1.5 million for rape and
sexual assault services - 21 services
£300,000 for Rape Crisis
Scotland and Scottish Women's Aid
The Minister said:
"International Women's Day is often a
day to celebrate women's achievements and though progress
has been made to tackle inequality, sadly there is still so
much more to be done.
"Far too many women and children live
miserable lives shrouded in secrecy, abuse and violence.
Far too many men think it is their right to
exploit their power at the cost of others. Domestic and
sexual abuse happens all over Scotland.
"No one should have to live in fear
and that is why support services like this are vital. I
have extended our Domestic Abuse Fund for another two years
because research has shown the positive impact these
services have had in helping people improve their lives.
And I am now awarding new funding to widen and strengthen
the support available for women who have been raped and
sexually exploited.
"I would urge any women who is
suffering or has suffered these forms of abuse to reach out
for help and I want to make sure the services are in place
when people seek that help."
Sandy Brindley for Rape CrisisScotlandsaid:
"We are delighted at the announcement of additional
funding for Rape Crisis. It will make a significant
difference to the support available to women and girls
inScotlandexperiencing sexual violence. This funding will help
increase the capacity of existing and newly developed
centres within the Scottish Rape Crisis Network. The money
will also be used to enable us to provide a central
information and resource service around sexual violence to
organisations and individuals."
Rowan Steele of Scottish Women's Aid said:
"We are delighted that the Executive has reinforced
its commitment to the National Strategy to address Domestic
Abuse. Today's announcement will allow us to strengthen and
develop the consistency and quality of the services to
women, young people and children throughoutScotlandwhich the Women's Aid network provides."
GlasgowCity Council - Support Service for Victims of
Trafficking - 100,000 for 2004/06 (from Violence Against Women
Fund)
To set up a pilot project inGlasgow, as currently there is no service inScotlandproviding specialist support to women who have been
trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation. The
Home Office runs a pilot project which has found that the
nature of the issues facing women are similar to those
experienced by those wishing to exit prostitution, however
trafficked women are also immobilised by fear and death
threats against them and their families at home and are
unable to leave because they have no money or passports. In
addition, they face the prospect of being dealt with as
illegal immigrants and are unlikely to then disclose that
they have been trafficked without intense specialist
support and safety provision. The Pilot will assess the
needs of women who have been trafficked and provide support
services and collate information about people suspected of
being involved in trafficking to enhance
intelligence.
Marriage Counselling Highland/Relate -A Woman's Place - 56,232 for 2004/06
To offer a professional counselling service
specifically targeted at women who have experienced rape,
sexual assault, quickly within the whole of Highland
Region. At present there is a waiting list and no
service in Nairn or Lochaber which is 134 miles without a
rail link to
Inverness. Their experience has been that by the time they
offer appointments women have moved or say it is too late;
however, the large majority come back for an appointment
within six months. This money means the service can be
expanded.
Angus - Barnardo's/Tayside Police Domestic Abuse
project - 98,209 for 2004/06 (DASDF)
To continue to provide comprehensive
support to victims, including devising and implementing a
programme of information and support.
To help women develop strategies which will
keep them and their children safe from violent and abusive
relationships.
To ensure the development of support for
children affected by domestic abuse, including help for the
non-abusing parent to protect their children and to
increase understanding of the impact of domestic abuse on
children.
Latest police statistics show that
over 36,000 incidents of domestic abuse were reported in
2002 and the number of rapes or attempted rapes reported
increased by 21 percent to 913 incidents that year.
The Domestic Abuse Service Development
Fund (DASDF) was established in 2000 and was scheduled to
end in March 2004. It has been extended for a further two
years until March 2006.
The Violence Against Women Fund (VAW)
was announced by Margaret Curran in November 2003.