Scottish Government unveil £5m funding to support groups tackling gender-based violence
The Scottish Government has announced £5 million to help groups working to support women and girls who have suffered gender-based violence deal with the increased demand they have seen for services during the pandemic.
The bulk of the funding, which was announced by equalities minister Christina McKelvie, will go to Scottish Women's Aid and Rape Crisis Scotland.
The two organisations will share £4.5 million to help with the "vital" work that they do, Ms McKelvie said.
The remaining £500,000 will be split between 12 specialist groups offering support services.
Announcing details of the cash support, the minister stressed that "violence against women and girls is one of the most devastating and fundamental violations of human rights and is totally unacceptable".