£1m fund to help abuse victims

A scene from a Scottish Executive anti-abuse campaign

A £1m fund is being set up to provide support services for women who have been raped, abused, exploited or sexually assaulted.

The announcement was made by Communities Minister Margaret Curran during a debate at Holyrood.

She also announced that the £3m-a-year domestic abuse service development fund will be extended for two more years.

And she told MSPs that the domestic abuse helpline will operate 24 hours a day over the festive period.

Violence against women was debated in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday morning.

Ms Curran said: "We know only too well that sexual violence against women and children prevails throughout Scotland.

This will help to ensure that women experiencing domestic abuse can access help and information at whatever time of day or night Margaret Curran

"Rape and sexual abuse are despicable acts that have devastating and lasting effects on women's physical and emotional wellbeing.

"This is why I am announcing a new £1m fund which aims to tackle violence against women."

It will allocate £500,000 a year over two years, starting in April next year.

Part of the funding will come from the £1.5m national group to tackle violence against women budget.

Ms Curran said the fund would provide practical services offering counselling, emotional support, advice and advocacy.

This will be targeted at women who have experienced rape or sexual assault, survivors of child sexual abuse and those who are being sexually exploited.

Abuse helpline

Ms Curran also announced that the domestic abuse service development fund, which is due to end in March 2004, would be extended by two years.

The fund supports 55 local projects across Scotland.

The domestic abuse helpline, which can be contacted on 0800 027 1234, is also being extended.

"We know that the helpline is providing a very valuable and necessary service and I can announce today that it will operate for 24 hours a day throughout the Christmas and early New Year period while our television advertising campaign is running," said Ms Curran.

"This will help to ensure that women experiencing domestic abuse can access help and information at whatever time of day or night during a time when we know that domestic abuse increases."