Home   News   Article

Cash for Moray Rape Crisis to keep up support during lockdown


By Lorna Thompson

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!

MORAY Rape Crisis has been given cash to keep supporting people remotely amid the coronavirus lockdown.

This week the Scottish Government announced more than £1.5 million to assist Scottish Women's Aid and Rape Crisis Scotland make a swift transition from face-to-face working to supporting people in other ways.

The funds will also ensure victims still have access to ways of reporting crimes during the crisis, including online video platforms, text messaging and phone calls.

The grants from the £350 million Communities Fund will see Scottish Women’s Aid receive £1.35 million over six months and Rape Crisis Scotland £226,309 over six months.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said there was a risk women and children who were already subject to domestic abuse would feel more isolated and vulnerable during the lockdown.

The first minister urged them: "Help is available now and you should not hesitate to come forward and get it."

Moray Rape Crisis has coped with high demand since opening in September 2018 and has a six-month waiting list for help.

The charity supports anyone, of any gender, from age 11 who has experienced sexual violence of any kind.

Sandie Barton, of Moray Rape Crisis, said the small but vital local service had been forced into quickly adapting services, balancing safety risks against the need to ensure people coping with gender-based violence have somewhere to turn.

Moray Rape Crisis has two part-time members of staff, classed as key workers. It welcomed the emergency handout which will cover the costs of switching to a technology-based service.

Moray Rape Crisis has welcomed new Scottish Government funding.
Moray Rape Crisis has welcomed new Scottish Government funding.

The organisation is still running its helpline from its office. It is working to ensure those who need help can get it by phone, online, email and text.

Sandie said: "The government are to be commended for making this money available. Moray Rape Crisis will only get about £2000, but even so, that is money that is really tight, and it's really helpful for us to set up Zoom accounts and get the technology we need."

Sandie said it was vital the message reached people that they can still access help.

She said: "The challenges of coping with trauma are increased by isolation. Some survivors are saying the trauma there in their head is increased and it can be hard to get privacy.

"The halting of court cases is also having a significant effect on people.

"But what we're seeing, and other workers are seeing, is that survivors are coming back for support – after thinking they had no choice but to pause it and cope on their own in the lockdown.

"Everyone involved is having to adapt to a new way of communication for now."

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: "The message to stay at home does not mean that people should not seek urgent help, advice or support."

More stories here.


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More