Glasgow & Clyde Rape Crisis Centre has launched a new manifesto calling on all political parties to commit to four urgent demands aimed at ending the crisis of rape and sexual violence across Scotland.
The centre, which supports survivors across Glasgow and Clyde — including Renfrewshire — says demand for its services has reached record levels, with nearly 3,100 people receiving one-to-one help from trauma-informed specialists in 2024–25.
According to Rape Crisis Scotland’s latest figures, the Glasgow & Clyde service supported almost one in three of all survivors across the country last year. In total, it had more than 40,000 contact points with survivors aged between 13 and 79 — a 42% rise from the year before.
The centre says the rise reflects not only the growing number of survivors seeking help, but also the increasing number of sexual crimes reported to Police Scotland. Offences rose by 3% across Scotland and 13% in Glasgow alone.
Since 2023, Glasgow & Clyde Rape Crisis has expanded its reach, operating in 19 different communities to ensure survivors can access support closer to home — a model unique in Scotland. However, the organisation says this local outreach comes with higher costs and growing financial pressure.
Director Claudia Macdonald-Bruce said: “It’s time that the next Scottish Government redefined its approach to supporting survivors of rape and sexual violence. Thousands of women and girls rely on services like ours every year, yet funding remains short-term, insecure, and insufficient to meet the scale of need.
“The current system simply isn’t sustainable. Survivors deserve consistent, trauma-informed support to help them heal, access justice, and rebuild their lives — and it’s the government’s responsibility to ensure those services are properly resourced.”
The centre currently receives £549,483 from the Scottish Government’s Delivering Equally Safe Fund and £171,000 from the Victim-Centred Approach Fund. However, despite serving over a fifth of Scotland’s female population, Glasgow accounts for 15% of sexual crimes nationally, and funding levels remain low.
Earlier this month, the centre had to temporarily pause new referrals to its Justice Support to Report service due to limited resources, reopening only after finding alternative funding. It says an extra £500,000 will be needed in 2026–27 to maintain existing services.
Ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election, the centre is calling for all parties to back four key commitments:
- Long-term, sustainable funding for all Rape Crisis services
- Collective action to tackle the root causes of sexual violence
- Improved, trauma-informed responses for survivors
- Simplified reporting and stronger access to justice
Claudia Macdonald-Bruce added: “We are working to create a society where women and girls are equal and free from all forms of sexual violence. We’ve been doing this since 1976. Almost fifty years later, against rising levels of sexual violence, I know we will be needed for 50 more.”
Anyone affected by rape or sexual violence can contact Glasgow & Clyde Rape Crisis for confidential support by calling 08088 00 00 14, emailing support@rapecrisiscentre-glasgow.co.uk, or texting 07712 719520.