Sacro has teamed up with Shakti Womens Aid, Respect and LGBT Youth Scotland
A project which aims to help the hidden victims of domestic abuse in Scotland has been awarded over three quarters of a million pounds from the Big Lottery Fund
Community justice organisation Sacro will roll out the FearLess project in 18 of Scotland’s local authorities.
It combines a domestic abuse helpline with intensive one to one support and mentoring in a bid to give over 1,500 survivors their life back.
Sacro has teamed up with third sector organisations Shakti Womens Aid, Respect and LGBT Youth Scotland in a bid to reach out to people who are less inclined to come forward or recognise their experiences of abuse, such as women from the black and ethnic minority community, LGBT people and men.
The help on offer will include a range of practical and emotional support including help with accommodation, personal finances, creating a personal safety plan, education, training and employment.
There is a widely held belief that abuse among men and women in LGBT and black or minority ethnic communities is seriously under reported
Tom Halpin, chief executive of Sacro, said: “There is a widely held belief that abuse among men and women in LGBT and black or minority ethnic communities is seriously under reported. FearLess is available to all and will actively encourage referrals from men and from minority groups within Scotland.
“Survivors of domestic abuse require a wide range of support, not only practical support in regard to having a safe home environment, but emotional support to help them deal with the transition from a fearful existence to one in which they can establish a safe, happy and independent life for themselves and their families.
“With the help of this funding from the Big Lottery Fund, Sacro, along with our partner organisations, will be able to help over 1,500 survivors of domestic abuse begin a new life, free of fear and intimidation.”
In 2012/13 60,080 incidents of domestic abuse were recorded by the police in Scotland, of which 57,286 had a gender recorded for the victim. Of these recorded incidents 17% were male victims – almost double the percentage of 10 years previously.
Brandi Lee, assistant policy director at LGBT Youth Scotland, added: “We are particularly excited to welcome the approach which aims to increase opportunities for face to face support this has the potential to increase access across Scotland for gay, bisexual and transgender men as well as people with non-binary gender identities.”
The Big Lottery Fund has awarded FearLess £869,000 from its Becoming A Survivor programme which, in the last three years, has awarded over £19 million to 43 projects across Scotland supporting men, women and families to move on from domestic abuse.
Big Lottery Fund, Scotland director, Jackie Killeen, said: “We are proud to fund this new approach to supporting people affected by domestic abuse. The FearLess project will reach out to some of the most vulnerable and hidden people regardless of their age, gender, sexuality, ethnicity or culture.
“We see this as adding to and complementing the already sterling work taking place in our communities to tackle domestic abuse head on.
“By taking a holistic approach to the issue, this project will provide more than just an emergency response. We believe this will make a huge difference to the lives of many people by giving them hope for a brighter future.”
