FOURTEEN rape crisis centres are to share £1.5 million as Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie allocates Holyrood cash.

The boost, announced as part of this year’s Programme for Government, aims to help survivors of sexual violence access specialist help.

Sums for local organisations range from £10,000 for Moray Rape Crisis to £74,000 for the centre serving Dundee.

The latter sum will also go to Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis, which announced it would no longer be able to give face-to-face help to new clients after BBC Children in Need declined to continue its funding.

That decision changed after the Scottish Government provided a lifeline award of £35,000.

The charity denied claims that its refusal was made because the charity did not do enough for men.

Confirming the fresh allocations today, McKelvie said: “We are committed to preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls. And a huge part of delivering on that commitment is ensuring that victims of rape or sexual assault are able to come forward and access the right support when they need it.

“I am delighted to confirm the distribution to 14 centres – from Shetland to the Scottish Borders - of £1.5 million over the next three years.

“That funding will bolster the resource available to each centre to ensure that more people can receive support, more quickly.”