More Funding For Fife Rape Crisis Centre

£80,000 of Scottish Government money is going to help sexual abuse victims in the Kingdom.

The Scottish Government has announced an extra £1.85 million is to be invested in providing additional support for victims of sex crimes across Scotland.

The funding for Rape Crisis Scotland represents a near doubling of funding for Scotland's 14 rape crisis centres, including a unit in Kirkcaldy, between 2016 and 2018.

The remainder of the funding will go towards advocacy and support workers to support those going through the criminal justice process and used to fund a National Sexual Violence Prevention Coordinator to coordinate work with young people on issues of consent and healthy sexual relationships.

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Michael Matheson, announced the funding saying: "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 which 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."

Rape Crisis Scotland National Coordinator, Sandy Brindley, said: "Rape Crisis Scotland is delighted to receive significant additional funding from the Scottish Government to help rape crisis centres across Scotland support survivors who are considering reporting to the police or are going through the police and court process. This funding will enable every rape crisis centre across the country to employ a dedicated support and advocacy worker who will provide much needed support and assistance."