A LIFELINE service for rape survivors is to reopen to new cases after the Scottish Government saved it from closure.
Staff at Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis (GRCC) had already told women and girls they would nolonger accept new people onto the the waiting list for face-to-face help as a consequence of a funding loss.
Manager Isabelle Kerr said they could not cope after BBC Children in Need declined to renew a three-year grant, claiming she had been told this was because the female-only service does not "do enough for males". However, BBC Children in Need denied this was the reason.
Today Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie said the Scottish Government would provide the £35,000 needed.
McKelvie, who represents Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, said: "We will continue to engage with Rape Crisis Scotland to assess this situation and to take a long-term approach so that local rape crisis centres can continue to provide vital services not just in Glasgow, but across the country."
But after that statement was made, Forth Valley Rape Crisis Centre (FVRCC) revealed it too had to limit services, capping the waiting list for those in the Falkirk area.
Managers said the three-month pause was because they are "still trying to reach a funding agreement with Falkirk Council", despite "overwhelming and increasing demand" from the public.
However, work with those already receiving support will continue.
The team said: "We are extremely saddened by this outcome and are continuing to discuss our funding position with Falkirk Council."
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said it urges the local authority to engage with FVRCC in a bid to resolve the funding issue.
Meanwhile, Kerr said she was "overwhelmed by the quick response" from the Scottish Government, along with the "amazing generosity" of supporters.
An online appeal drew a rush of donations overnight, reaching around £10,600 by yesterday afternoon. That will be topped by an additional £2200 in gift aid.
Thanking all who had helped, Kerr said: "The support we have had today has been phenomenal.
"Tomorrow we begin the work of getting those support services back on track and the waiting lists reduced."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel