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Our statement on the Funding Independent Strategic Review of Funding and Commissioning of VAWG Services in Scotland

When we talk about services focused on violence against women and girls, we must remember that we’re talking about truly life saving services. The new Independent Strategic Review of Funding and Commissioning of VAWG Services in Scotland makes some important recommendations for how these services are funded and delivered, many of which we very much welcome.

This review states that there should be a legal right in Scotland to these services, and that such a legal right being in place would mean that services would no longer rely on short term funding routes. This would be a hugely welcome, and urgently needed, change.

Our sector’s forced reliance on such short term, competitive funding routes has a damaging impact on service delivery. Short term funding means that highly trained specialist staff are left on precarious contracts, and we are unable to guarantee the long-term provision of life saving sexual violence support services.

The Scottish Government has recently announced a six-month extension to the emergency waiting list funding some Rape Crisis Centres received during the pandemic. Without this funding, 28 highly skilled jobs across Rape Crisis Centres would be lost. While we of course welcome any extension to this funding, we’re very disappointed that only a six-month extension has been granted.

We do however have concerns about the review’s recommendation to move to a more localised approach to funding. We are concerned that this approach could lead to a mixed approach to the prioritisation of sexual violence services across Scotland. These crucial services must be a key priority across the entire country.

We are also concerned by the review's recommendation of a single helpline for all VAWG support in Scotland. Support services for sexual violence are highly specialised. The Rape Crisis Scotland helpline provides support for people of all genders affected by sexual violence.. It's crucial that these specific services are retained and funded.