Domestic abuse activist urges legal protection for £1000 fund helping women flee abuse

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A domestic abuse campaigner has called for a £1000 fund which assists women escape violent partners to be enshrined in law.First Minister Humza Yousaf launched the flagship policy in October, making £500,000 available.But Tory MSP Pam Gosal, who wants Holyrood to create a register of domestic abusers, said it must become a long-term commitment.The call comes as part of a Sunday Mail campaign to stop offenders who have been granted bail being allowed access to their partner’s home.It was prompted by the death of Claire Inglis in 2021.

She was murdered by her violent boyfriend and a sheriff allowed him back to her home following his release from prison.Gosal said: “We need mandatory measures put in place – it has to be in law.

These funds are good but we need something when they dry up.“We will not know what impact they [the funds] will have had until proper data is collected and reported.“These funds need to stand the test of time.

It has to be legislated to ensure they deliver – otherwise these funds will come and go.”The “fund to leave” was announced by Yousaf, in his first keynote speech as party leader, at the SNP’s annual conference.He said £500,000 would be made available from October to support women leaving abusive partners.It is being trialled in five council areas – Glasgow, South Lanarkshire, Edinburgh, North Lanarkshire and Fife, – where there are the highest number of homeless women seeking help because of domestic violence.The fund will be overseen by Women’s Aid groups.