MILLIONS of pounds are to be distributed to protect women and girls from “atrocious” violence and domestic abuse after the pandemic saw calls for help increase.
Organisations tackling forms of violence against female Scots of all ages have reported spikes in cases of harm at home, with children said to be witnessing heightened abuses during lockdown.
Child wellbeing concerns generated by Police Scotland went up year-on-year earlier this summer, with Childline domestic abuse counselling sessions up 25%.
A Scottish Government report published earlier this week shows how agencies working on gender-based abuses told how their clients are experiencing “significant mental ill health due to the impact of Covid-19” thanks to the combined impact of isolation, lack of safe childcare options and dangers at home.
Many organisations said the crisis work they engage in has increased, with many people experiencing “suicidal ideation, depression and anxiety, increasing substance misuse as a coping mechanism, and/or increased levels of fear, both of the perpetrator and the virus”.
READ MORE: Women's Aid calls for ‘urgent action’ as pandemic raises risk of domestic abuse harm
One agency, which was not named, said requests to enter its refuge had doubled during lockdown and subsequent phases, while others working with women in prostitution revealed the prevalence of “aggressive online posts putting pressure on women to meet in person for direct sex”, with some women also said to have been travelling from England to Scotland to sell sex.
Now ministers say those experiencing or at risk of harm will have increased access to support thanks to a £4.25 million package for projects across the country.
The cash will allow Women’s Aid groups, Rape Crisis services and others bring in more staff, operate across increased hours and improve their IT and digital resources to get help out “quickly and easily”.
Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie said: “The greater risks to women and children of domestic abuse with referrals to frontline services increasing during the pandemic is a major concern. It is atrocious that this is the case but we are focused on ensuring that frontline services can meet the increased demand for support.
“This extra funding will help to ensure these vital services are still able to provide support to people across the country, and the scale and innovation of these projects will provide a lifeline to many women and families.
“Any kind of violence is unacceptable and the safety and wellbeing needs of women and children need to be protected – that is even more important during a pandemic.
“Police Scotland continue to prioritise domestic abuse cases so I would also encourage anyone suffering violence and domestic abuse not to hesitate to get the support they need.”
The funds will go to local projects in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Dumfries, Stornoway and more.
READ MORE: Scottish Government to explore impact of coronavirus on sex workers
Dr Marsha Scott, chief executive of Scottish Women’s Aid, said: “Our local Women’s Aid groups have shown extraordinary resilience and creativity in rapidly redesigning their services to continue supporting those experiencing domestic abuse throughout the pandemic. The challenges they’ve faced have been huge as Covid-19 has given abusers more tools to control and harm women and children.
“This injection of financial support will provide some much-needed stability for groups against a backdrop of precarious, patchwork local funding.
“As lockdown and other measures ease, our local groups are anticipating even more demand for their specialist services as survivors begin to have more opportunities to seek support.
“Additionally, if faced with a second wave of the virus, this funding will strengthen the responses of groups and allow them to build on the progress they have made in delivering services remotely. This support from the Scottish Government will help local Women’s Aid services prepare to meet those needs and will mean that women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse can access the help and advice they want, when they want it.”
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