Ministers urged to better support victims of sexual violence as cases rise

Ministers have been told “urgent action” is needed to “properly fund” services that support rape victims and other survivors of sexual violence.

Claudia MacDonald-Bruce, the director of Scotland’s largest rape crisis centre, said services across the country are bracing themselves for a surge in demand in the new year, following an “appalling” rise in cases of rape, attempted rape and sexual violence.

Scottish Government statistics published earlier this year showed sexual crime is now at the second highest level since 1971.

There were 2,897 cases of rape and attempted rape recorded by police in 2024-25, up 15% from 2,522 in 2023-24.

Ms Macdonald-Bruce said a rape or attempted rape takes place in Glasgow every 18 hours, and she demanded: “Where is the outrage?

“Where is the action, and funding, from local and national governments to keep women and girls safe in the first place, and to support them when the unthinkable happens?

“While this time of year is a joy for most, the festive period isn’t always full of good cheer.

“Women and girls can be at higher risk of sexual violence, both in the home and out at festive parties for Christmas and Hogmanay.”

She urged anyone who is raped or sexually assaulted to seek help and support.

But with Glasgow Rape Crisis noting women and girls in the city can have to wait up to 151 days for support, she demanded: “We also need urgent action from the Scottish Government to properly fund survivor support, and fund long-term education and interventions to address the spiralling problem of male sexual violence.

“The lack of support for women and girls is not about a shortage of cash. It’s about political choices.

“Choosing train stations and IT upgrades over support for women and girls who have endured unimaginable violence shows a reckless disregard for survivors, at a time when demand for help is only increasing.”

The Glasgow Rape Crisis centre supports more than 2,800 women and girls each year, and it says demand for its services has grown year-on-year for the last four years.

The youngest survivor supported by the centre this year was only 13 years old, while the oldest was aged 79.

Ms Macdonald-Bruce added: “We hear rhetoric year in and year out that the safety of women and girls is a priority, but the figures paint a different picture – one where too many women and girls are still being failed, and face dangers in every part of our city.

“We need an urgent commitment from the Scottish Government that it will invest in rape crisis centres like ours so that survivors can access help and support when they need it.”

Equalities minister Kaukab Stewart insisted: “Sexual violence has no place in Scotland at this or any time of the year and we encourage anyone who experiences it to report it and seek support.”

She added that the Scottish Government is “fully committed to preventing and eradicating all violence against women and girls and addressing the underlying attitudes and systems that perpetuate it”.

Ms Stewart stated: “Through the Delivering Equally Safe Fund, we have increased funding by £2.4 million, bringing the total investment to £21.6 million for 2025-26, to support recipients to continue the vital work they undertake. This includes work to prevent violence from occurring and support for survivors.

“The Victim Centred Approach Fund, which forms part of the Scottish Government Fairer Funding pilot and will provide £32 million to 23 organisations between 2025-2027, also provides £12 million for specialist advocacy support for survivors of gender-based violence.

“We are considering funding decisions beyond March 2026 and we expect confirmation of funding to be made as part of the Scottish Budget process.”