A group of Scottish rape crisis charities have demanded urgent assurances from the Scottish government that it will provide a critical funding increase in its next budget in January.
In an open letter to ministers, the leaders of four rape crisis charities, which collectively provide 40% of Scotland’s services, accused the devolved administration of displaying a “negligent disregard for survivors of rape and sexual violence”.
According to the letter, the Scottish government’s Delivering Equally Safe (DES) Fund, which supports rape crisis and women’s aid services, has remained “effectively static” since 2021, while demand for services has risen.
A 12.5% uplift in funding announced in February 2025 was offset by the loss of the temporary Covid-19 recovery funding, leaving many services worse off in real terms, the charities wrote.
The charities called on the Scottish government to deliver an immediate funding uplift in its budget to allow rape crisis centres to maintain essential services in the short term, while also implementing the government’s own recommendations on a review of funding and services longer term.
Centres at ‘points of crisis’
In their letter to finance secretary Shona Robison and social justice secretary Shirley-Ann Somerville, the charities said there had been a 3% increase in sexual crimes recorded by Police Scotland between 2021 and 2025.
The charities – Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis, Rape Crisis Ayrshire and Arran, Western Isles Rape Crisis Centre and Lanarkshire Rape Crisis Centre – said the longest waiting time for support faced by survivors at any of the centres is currently up to 151 days.
Writing in the open letter, the charities said: “Funding has not kept pace with the need for our vital services, resulting in difficult choices and women and girls not being given the help they choose from us, and more critically, deserve [...]
“So far, your government has failed to act and women and girls in our service areas are paying the price.
“Funding pressures have already had tangible effects: last month, Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis temporarily paused referrals to its Justice Support to Report service due to limited funding, reopening only after securing alternative resources.
“Other centres are at their own points of crisis.
“When the Scottish budget is announced on 13 January, there will be just 78 days until the next financial year begins – fewer than the 151 days some survivors must currently wait to access support.
“Without your intervention, waiting lists will extend further into 2025-26, leaving survivors without the support they need and deserve.”
Scots government: ‘Ministers are considering funding decisions’
Responding to the letter, Scottish government equalities minister Kaukab Stewart said: “We remain steadfast in our commitment to preventing and eradicating all violence against women and girls and addressing the underlying attitudes and systems that perpetuate it.
“We announced a £2.4m uplift to the Delivering Equally Safe Fund for 2025-26, to allow all fund recipients to continue the vital work they undertake to prevent violence and support survivors, bringing the total investment to £21.6m for 2025-26.
“The Victim Centred Approach Fund now forms part of the Scottish government Fairer Funding pilot, and will provide £32m to 23 organisations between 2025-2027, including £12m for specialist advocacy support for survivors of gender-based violence.
“Ministers are considering funding decisions beyond March 2026 and we expect confirmation of funding to be made as part of the Scottish budget process.”
