A NEW pilot scheme will offer the victims of domestic abuse up to £1000 to escape their relationships, the First Minister has announced.
Ahead of his first SNP conference speech as leader, Humza Yousaf announced the Fund to Leave – which will send £500,000 to Women’s Aid organisations in five council areas, with the formal announcement due when he speaks on Tuesday.
Glasgow, South Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire, Edinburgh and Fife will all benefit from the scheme initially, with its effectiveness to be assessed.
The cash can be used to buy essentials needed for a victim to be able to leave their abusive partner.
The Scottish Government has said that nearly a quarter of homelessness presentations among women in Scotland were due to abuse.
READ MORE: SNP to look at creating buffer zones around asylum seeker accommodation
“Both tackling homelessness and ending violence against women and girls are key priorities for the Scottish Government,” the First Minister said.
“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.”
Marsha Scott, the chief executive of Scottish Women’s Aid, 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.”
Anyone who feels impacted by any of the issues discussed here can contact Women's Aid on 0800 027 1234.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here