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Financial support to help women and children
Women experiencing domestic abuse will be able to receive up to
£1,000 from a new pilot fund to pay for the essentials they need
when leaving a relationship with an abusive partner.
The £500,000 Fund to Leave will be delivered by Women’s Aid
groups in the five local authority areas with the most women’s
homelessness applications due to domestic abuse.
In 2022-23 almost a quarter of all homelessness presentations by
women and their children were due to a violent or abusive dispute
in their household.
First Minister said:
“Both tackling homelessness and ending violence against women and
girls are key priorities for the Scottish Government. People
should feel safe in their own homes but, sadly, too often this is
not the case.
“Leaving a relationship with an abusive partner is dangerous and
difficult, and financial dependence on the abuser is often the
biggest barrier. The Fund to Leave will help to reduce the
financial burden of leaving an abusive partner by helping to pay
for the essentials that women and children need, including rent
and clothing.
“This is just one of the ways in which we can work towards a
Scotland where women and girls live free from violence and abuse
in their homes.”
Chief Executive of Scottish Women’s Aid Marsha Scott said:
“Survivors have told us for decades that the biggest problems
they face in extricating themselves from abusers is the danger of
retaliation, their lack of financial independence and the fear of
destitution.
“Whether survivors and their children can stay in their homes or
need or want to move to other accommodation, paying the rent and
putting food on the table are still a struggle.
“After years of advocating for speedy, accessible, and practical
help for leaving, we are utterly delighted to welcome this fund
and to help with getting it out to those who need it as quickly
and efficiently as possible.”
Chief Executive of Fife Women’s Aid Kate McCormack said:
“Fife Women’s Aid are delighted to be part of this important and
helpful initiative. Domestic abuse is a significant cause of
homelessness among women and children in Fife. Financial
insecurity is one of the barriers to escaping abuse so this fund
is very welcome.”
Background
Grants will be available as part of a pilot until 31 March 2024.
Financial support to support women to leave an abusive partner
was one of 27 recommendations in the Improving Housing
Outcomes for Women and Children Experiencing Domestic Abuse in
the social rented sector report. In December 2020, the
Scottish Government accepted all 27 recommendations in principle.
The five local authorities with the highest presentations of
homelessness applications by women due to domestic abuse are:
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Local authority
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Homelessness presentation cases
|
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Glasgow City
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370
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|
South Lanarkshire
|
360
|
|
Edinburgh
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315
|
|
North Lanarkshire
|
245
|
|
Fife
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215
|
Grants will be delivered by Fife Women’s Aid and the following
nine Scottish Women’s Aid affiliated groups:
- Glasgow Women’s Aid
- Glasgow East Women’s Aid
- Hemet Gryffe Women’s Aid
- Women’s Aid South Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire
- Edinburgh Women’s Aid
- Shakti Women’s Aid
- North Lanarkshire Women’s Aid
- Monklands Women’s Aid
- Motherwell District Women’s Aid
Women can apply to the Fund to Leave by contacting a
participating Women’s Aid group directly, or contacting Scottish Women’s Aid.
