WOMEN'S Aid and Rape Crisis services in West Dunbartonshire have been guaranteed funding for the next five years, West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) has confirmed.

Councillors unanimously approved proposals to maintain funding for the duration of the current administration’s term to allow these services to develop their support for women and children in crisis.

This is said to be the “longest ever” sustained cash guarantee for women’s lifeline services across the area, which has one of the highest rates of domestic abuse in Scotland.

Among the vital services to benefit from this funding pledge is Dumbarton District Women’s Aid (DDWA), which provides emergency accommodation, practical advice, and emotional support for women and their children escaping abusive home environments at its facility in Balloch.

The DDWA group and Clydebank Women’s Aid will each receive £167,000 per year until March 2027.

The funding is to provide support to women who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse living in temporary accommodation or living in their own homes.

In addition to this, it will also support women moving to new homes to sustain their tenancies.

Rape Crisis will receive £43,000 a year in core funding from West Dunbartonshire's health and social care partnership (HSCP) and additional council payments.

This service offers outreach support in West Dunbartonshire to women and girls aged 13 and over who have experienced sexual violence.

Councillors Michelle McGinty and Craig Edward visited DDWA’s ten-flat facility in Balloch this week to meet manager Liz Mooney and colleagues Jane Graham and Carmel Gentles.

Councillor McGinty, chair of West Dunbartonshire HSCP, said: “We know specifically that West Dunbartonshire has a serious problem with domestic abuse.

“During the Covid pandemic the numbers rose – at this facility alone referrals went up by 138 per cent during the first six months of lockdown – and the problem is not going to just go away now that life is largely back to normal.

“Over the next few years it’s going to require a lot of multi-agency input and support for vital services like Dumbarton District Women’s Aid, Clydebank Women’s Aid and Rape Crisis.

“And it’s important to us as a Council that they know we are behind them every step of journey ahead over these next five years.”

WDC’s housing department plays a key role in tackling the issue.

In 2018, the department launched its ‘No Home for Domestic Abuse’ initiative to become the first social landlord in Scotland to introduce a zero tolerance policy on abuse within its properties.

The initiative sees victims of abuse provided with immediate access to practical help and specialist legal assistance, and perpetrators legally removed and prevented from returning to the properties to ensure victims can remain at home.

The council said it also takes a tough stance on tenants found guilty of committing domestic abuse by offering them only short-term tenancies and ensuring the property is at a distance from the victim.

Housing staff partner with police, courts and criminal justice teams to coordinate swift action against the most serious offenders.

Liz Mooney, co-manager of Dumbarton District Women’s Aid said: “This is the longest guaranteed funding we have had, and that security means we can now start to look where else we can develop our service.

“We are grateful to the council for their commitment to services that support women, children and young people in crisis.”

Councillor Edward, convener of WDC's housing and communities committee, added: “This long-term extension of funding is a significant policy commitment agreed by all councillors who recognise these services are vital when domestic violence is still unacceptably high.

“The continued support of these services is really important and ties in with the council’s No Home For Domestic Abuse agenda.

“It’s one thing having policies in place but we are demonstrating meaningful action.

"My understanding is that we are the only council in Scotland to secure funding for the full five-year term, and this will be welcomed not only by Women’s Aid and Rape Crisis but also by the wider community within West Dunbartonshire.”

Anyone who has experienced domestic abuse of sexual violence can find help on WDC’s website HERE.