voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
Fund To Leave - Support to leave an abusive relationship
Created: 18/10/2023Women experiencing domestic abuse will be able to receive up to £1,000 from a new pilot fund to pay for the essentials they need when leaving a relationship with an abusive partner.
The £500,000 Fund to Leave will be delivered by Women’s Aid groups in the five local authority areas with the most women’s homelessness applications due to domestic abuse. Fife is one of the pilot regions.
In 2022-23 almost a quarter of all homelessness presentations by women and their children were due to a violent or abusive dispute in their household.
Chief Executive of Fife Women’s Aid Kate McCormack said:
“Fife Women’s Aid are delighted to be part of this important and helpful initiative. Domestic abuse is a significant cause of homelessness among women and children in Fife. Financial insecurity is one of the barriers to escaping abuse so this fund is very welcome.”
Grants will be available as part of a pilot until 31 March 2024.
Financial support to support women to leave an abusive partner was one of 27 recommendations in the Improving Housing Outcomes for Women and Children Experiencing Domestic Abuse in the social rented sector report. In December 2020, the Scottish Government accepted all 27 recommendations in principle.
Women can apply to the Fund To Leave by contacting a participating Women’s Aid group directly, or contacting Scottish Women’s Aid.