SafeLives receives grant from Big Lottery Fund to support survivors of domestic abuse in Scotland

SafeLives, a UK-wide domestic abuse charity, has been awarded a grant by the Big Lottery Fund to help end the postcode lottery for domestic abuse survivors in Scotland. The funding will allow the charity to work with professionals and survivors across Scotland to close the gaps in provision and to help ensure that every victim and child can be safe from harm and fear – no matter what their circumstances or where they live.

SafeLives research found that over 130,000 people in Scotland live with domestic abuse every year, with over 9,000 women and 12,000 children living in homes with the highest risk of murder or serious harm. Experiences in different parts of the country vary enormously.

This grant will allow SafeLives to work closely with survivors across Scotland: to listen to their experiences and ensure that their views are being heard by policymakers and the public. The response to domestic abuse must be evidence-driven. There is no better or more reliable insight into the reality of domestic abuse than the experience of survivors themselves, and SafeLives now has the opportunity to match this with data from statutory and voluntary sector partners to add to the case for change and to create innovation in practice. The charity will work in close partnership with local and national partners to provide online and offline support and resources.

SafeLives Chief Executive, Suzanne Jacob said:

“We are so pleased to have this opportunity to build on our work in Scotland. The recent success of the Scottish Government’s Domestic Abuse Bill and the action plan for Equally Safe provides a great platform to continue the momentum. We know there is brilliant work going in Scotland to help survivors and children; we want to work in partnership with partners and survivors to build on this. We know that change is possible, and we must hold onto that and keep going until every victim and child is safe.

“We’re particularly excited to have the opportunity to build a network of Pioneers in Scotland - survivors who have real life experience and can use their voice at the highest level to influence change.

“We’re grateful to the Big Lottery fund for awarding us this grant and look forward to all that we can achieve.”

Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, Maureen McGinn said:

“I am delighted that SafeLives has been successful in securing National Lottery finding. The award will make a big difference where it is needed most and I wish SafeLives every success as it goes on to develop and expand its project for the benefit of local communities.”

About SafeLives

We are a national charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, for good. We combine insight from services, survivors and statistics to support people to become safe, well and rebuild their lives. Since 2005, SafeLives has worked with organisations across the country to transform the response to domestic abuse, with over 60,000 victims at highest risk of murder or serious harm now receiving co-ordinated support annually.

No one should live in fear. It is not acceptable, not inevitable, and together – we can make it stop.  Domestic abuse affects us all; it thrives on being hidden behind closed doors. We must make it everybody’s business. 

Key findings in Scotland – taken from SafeLives’ Whole Lives report

• In 2015/16 Police Scotland recorded almost 60,000 incidents of domestic abuse. Half of these led to the recording of a crime or offence.
• 14% of adults (18.5% of women and 9.2% of men) report having experienced physical or psychological partner abuse since the age of 16. This means that almost one in five women in Scotland will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime.
• Based on the population and presence of domestic abuse, SafeLives estimates that every year over 9000 women at risk of serious harm or murder.
• We estimate that over 12,000 children in Scotland are living with the highest risk domestic abuse.
• The average length of abuse before seeking support is 4 years.
• One in 10 victims of abuse had attended A&E as a result of the abuse in the previous 12 months, but the health service is currently playing only a very limited role in responding to the problem

For interviews or more information, please contact Penny East, Head of Communications, on 07818593562 or at penny.east@safelives.org.uk

Big Lottery Fund Press Office:  0141 242 1524

Website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

Twitter: @BIGScotland #NationalLottery

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BigLotteryFundScotland

Notes to Editors:

• The Big Lottery Fund supports the aspirations of people who want to make life better for their communities across the UK. We are responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery and invest over £650 million a year in projects big and small in health, education, environment and charitable purposes.
• The Big Lottery Fund Scotland is focussed on helping people and communities most in need throughout Scotland through its five-year £250m funding scheme as well as small grants scheme National Lottery Awards for All Scotland.
• Since March 2007 Big Lottery Fund Scotland has taken devolved decisions on National Lottery spending, the Committee, led by Chair, Maureen McGinn plays a strategic role in the future direction of the Fund in Scotland.
• Since June 2004 we have awarded over £8 billion to projects across the UK that change the lives of millions of people. Every year we fund 13,000 small local projects tackling big social problems like poor mental health and homelessness.
• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £35 billion has been raised and more than 490,000 grants awarded