Question reference: S5W-36116
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 11 March 2021
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Current status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 24 March 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S5W-18158 by Christina McKelvie on 7 September 2018, whether it will provide an update on waiting times for rape survivors at each rape crisis centre in each of the last two years.
Answer
According to Rape Crisis Scotland, as of October 2019 and October 2020 waiting list times for each centre were as follows:
Centre | Waiting list 2019 | Waiting list 2020 |
Argyll and Bute | 4-6 weeks | 10-12 weeks |
Grampian | 6 months | 3-5 months |
South West (Dumfries and Galloway) | 2-4 weeks | Up to 6 months |
WSRAC (Dundee) | 12 months | 2-6 months |
STAR (Ayrshire) | 16 weeks | No wait |
Edinburgh | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months (waiting list currently closed) |
FRASAC (Fife) | 4 months | 6-8 months |
Forth Valley | 3 months | 3-6 months |
Glasgow and Clyde | 9 months | 10-12 months |
Lanarkshire | 4 months | 5 months |
Orkney | Within 48 hours | No wait |
RASAC (Perth and Kinross) | 6 months | Over 12 months |
Highland | 4-5 months | 9 months |
Scottish Borders | 4-9 months | 9-11 months |
Shetland | 2-3 months | 2 months |
Western Isles | No wait | No wait |
We know that having to wait for support has a real life impact on rape survivors, who deserve to be able to access the support they need. It is deeply concerning that referrals to services have increased during the pandemic. That is why last year we allocated an additional £5.75m to various organisations including Rape Crisis Scotland to ensure services could meet increased demand.
The £13m Delivering Equally Safe Fund is open for applications until 30 April 2021 to support delivery of front-line services across Scotland.