News

Survivors Can't Wait campaign launches

We hear time and time again from survivors just how valuable Rape Crisis support has been to them. The support Rape Crisis Centres offer can be truly lifesaving. When a survivor reaches out for support, it's crucial that they are able to receive it then. Not weeks or months later. But this is the reality facing too many survivors across Scotland. Demand for Rape Crisis support in Scotland has grown year upon year. But the resources available to meet this demand have not kept up. 

After over a decade of austerity, long waiting lists for essential services, including Rape Crisis, have become the norm. Being on a waiting list simply means not having access to a service. We cannot accept this.

The Survivors Can't Wait campaign is calling for: Rape Crisis Scotland is calling for 

• An extension to emergency waiting list funding from the Scottish Government to protect 28 specialist jobs across the network 

• A commitment from the Scottish Government to sustainable and long-term funding for Rape Crisis services 

In 2021, the Scottish Government granted temporary funds to tackle waiting lists at most centres across the Rape Crisis network. This funding is due to expire in March 2024. This means that in under six months, 28 highly specialist posts could be lost across the Rape Crisis network. If these posts are lost, survivors will be forced to wait for unacceptable lengths of time to access the support they need.

Rape Crisis services are essential emergency services. They should not be dependent on short term funding pots which leave staff and survivors with uncertainty

Write a letter to your MSP to tell them that survivors can't wait.

Find more information about the campaign.