Scheme set up to support domestic abuse victims in armed forces community

A first of its kind project is being set up to help support victims of domestic abuse within Scotland’s armed forces community.

The scheme, which has been set up by Victim Support Scotland together with Scottish Women’s Aid, aims to ensure women and children can “access the right help”.

The Safe and Supported Scotland project – which is due to launch later this year – will also see armed forces personnel given training in how to recognise domestic abuse, as well as how to support those who speak up and help connect survivors with specialist services.

Organisers hope the scheme, which is being funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Trust through its Free from Fear grants, will help those in the forces recognise and respond better to domestic abuse.

Female survivors in need of more intensive support will be referred to Scottish Women’s Aid services, while Victim Support Scotland (VSS) will also provide emotional, practical and financial support to both male and female victims.

This help will be confidential, and available regardless of whether abuse is reported to police.

Scottish Women’s Aid chief executive Marsha Scott said the organisation had already supported female military personnel and military spouses and partners who are experiencing domestic abuse.

She said: “Domestic abuse exists in every community, including the armed forces, and this project is an important step in strengthening how military survivors are supported across Scotland.

“Safe and Supported Scotland will bring together specialist, trauma-informed support with the expertise of local Women’s Aid services to ensure women and children can access the right help in their communities.

“At the same time, a dedicated training programme will support armed forces personnel to recognise abuse, respond safely to disclosures, and connect survivors to specialist services.

“We know that reaching out for support is often complex, and survivors need responses they can trust.

“By improving both access to support and the systems around survivors, this project will help build safer, more consistent responses for those affected by domestic abuse in armed forces communities.”

Jacqueline Cassidy, director of service delivery at Victim Support Scotland, said: “As the first project of its kind in Scotland, Safe and Supported Scotland will address a gap in provision for domestic abuse support within armed forces communities.

“We are delighted to partner with Scottish Women’s Aid on this initiative. By combining their expertise in advocating for women and girls affected by domestic abuse with our comprehensive victim support model, we will deliver a joined‑up, victim‑centred response to this need.

“This project has been shaped through engagement and consultation with survivors, practitioners and armed forces support organisations – firmly embedding the lived experiences of people who have experienced domestic abuse and professionals who have supported them.

“Our aim is that it will create lasting, sustainable change and a legacy of support.

“We hope this will not only benefit victim/survivors directly, but also their children and family members by creating a sense of safety and security for them to move on with their lives.

“As we develop the service prior to its launch later this year, we want people affected by domestic abuse within the armed forces, and the agencies who are supporting them, to know they can turn to VSS for this important support.”