Funding Boost For Fife Rape Help Centre

Staff at a Fife-based centre for rape and sexual assault victims say a government funding boost will help reduce their waiting lists.

The Kirkcaldy charity is one of 14 centres sharing in £1.85m of extra cash from the Scottish Government.

Around 150 to 160 male and female victims are counselled by the centre every year in Fife.

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Michael Matheson, said: "We are absolutely committed to tackling domestic abuse and sexual offending in Scotland and this £1.85 million funding will help provide important additional support for victims of these terrible crimes.

"Organisations such as Rape Crisis Scotland are doing fantastic work across the country, providing a vital service and giving support and advice for victims of sexual violence. We want to do all we can to support them hich is why we are today increasing funding for these services by record amounts. Each of the 14 local rape crisis centres are receiving an 80 per cent rise in financial support and the new services in Orkney and Shetland are very important - making sure women all over Scotland are able to access these vital services.

"This is part of a wide range of measures we are putting in place to tackle sexual violence and support its victims. With this new £20m we will ensure better support of victims of violence and sexual assault.

"The number of sexual crimes reported to police rose by 11 per cent last year, with nearly half of that rise linked to an increase in reporting of historic crimes. We are strengthening the law, creating a hostile environment for potential abusers and our next major step will be the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm Bill, providing extra powers against those who commit domestic abuse, harassment and sexual offences, and creating a new offence criminalising the appalling offence known as revenge porn."