£34.5 million has been invested to help tackle the issue of violence against women. 138 projects across Scotland are benefitting from £11.5m of funding each year from 2012-2015.
These include projects which provide support for women and children who are suffering from domestic abuse, or for women who have been violently or sexually abused.
Announcing the funding, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said:
“Tackling violence against women is a high priority for the Scottish Government and I have always been very clear that violence against women will not be tolerated.
“We value the work that is done by many organisations in combating such violence, and that is why we are investing this money in helping to improve the support that is available for victims of abuse.
“Since 2007, funding for violence against women work has doubled and the Scottish Government has demonstrated its commitment, despite budget constraints, to maintaining spending in this crucial area of work.”
This funding has enabled the roll out of the Advocacy, Support, Services, Information Together (ASSIST) across Strathclyde Police force area.
The project is benefitting from over £1 million per year, which is being matched with a similar contribution from Strathclyde Police.
The groundbreaking service provides support, advocacy, risk assessment and safety planning for victims going through the Glasgow domestic abuse court.
They deal with several thousands of cases each year, and support both female and male victims, as well as children and young people who have been affected by the abuse.
In addition, Scottish Borders Pathway Project is receiving over £100,000 per year
The funding will help Scottish Borders Council in redesigning their violence against women services to centre around a community model with a single point of access to all relevant services.
Working together, agencies will identify high risk victims and pro-actively contact them to offer options including risk assessment and safety planning as well as safe refuge or other housing options.
This project is aimed at driving down the incidence of domestic abuse and other forms of violence against women through early intervention.