Sandy Brindley, Rape Crisis Scotland COVID now Cost of Living SB updated the Group on the impact of the Cost of Living crisis in terms of demand for the services of Rape Crisis Scotland: • A 34.5% increase on demand when compared with 21/22, which had already seen an increase. • Survivors seeking the services of Rape Crisis Scotland, as they are unable to access health services. • The rise in women having to sell sex because of financial hardship. • The number of survivors, who are refugees and asylum seekers, and particularly vulnerable. • The impact of the backlog in the court system – a result of both COVID and the Cost of Living Crisis. 2 • The impact, were a funding programme which currently supports 28 support workers across Scotland, to finish at the end of the current funding period, which runs up to September 2023. • On a positive note, Rape Crisis Scotland’s Prevention Programme has worked with 27 thousand young people in schools across Scotland. c.