Five local authorities will benefit from Fund to Leave to support women and children escape abusive relationships.
Victims of domestic abuse could receive up to £1000 from the new pilot fund in order to pay for the essentials they may need when leaving an abusive partner. The grants will be available until March 2024.
Around a quarter of homeless presentations in 2022-23 were by women and their children leaving a violent or abusive household. In a December 2020 report from the Scottish Government, financial support for victims of domestic violence was one of 27 recommendations to improve housing outcomes for women and children.
‘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,’ said Marsha Scott, Chief Executive of Scottish Women’s Aid.
‘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.’
The five local authorities offering support are those with the highest levels of women’s homelessness applications due to domestic abuse. These are:
- Glasgow City
- South Lanarkshire
- Edinburgh
- North Lanarkshire
- Fife
First Minister Humza Yousaf added:
‘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.’
Women can apply to the scheme through a participating Women’s Aid group, or by contacting Scottish Women’s Aid.
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