Rape crisis centres form alliance to combat rise in sexual violence against women and girls

[10 March 2026] Rape crisis centres launch an alliance to combat “terrifying” rise in rape and sexual violence cases

Rape crisis centres from the west of Scotland have launched a formal alliance after what they call “an erosion” of focus on the rights of women and girls in Scotland.

Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis (GCRC), Lanarkshire Rape Crisis Centre, The STAR Centre – Rape Crisis Ayrshire and Western Isles Rape Crisis Centre said in a statement that the move was necessary to advocate for violence against women as a public health issue.

It comes as the centres published an open letter to women and girls in Scotland in which they vow “to disrupt the status quo and to work towards a world where no woman or girl – anywhere – feels the threat of male violence.”

Recent figures from the Police Scotland show that reports of rape and attempted rape in Scotland have risen by 12% over the past year.

Since 2021, reported cases have increased by 26%, according to the latest statistics.

The establishment of the Scottish Rape Crisis Alliance (SRCA) comes after GCRC raised concerns about a postcode lottery of funding for centres supporting survivors of rape, attempted rape and sexual violence.

The SRCA will campaign to represent the realities of frontline work at national and governmental levels and ensure survivors’ experiences meaningfully shape priorities and decisions. Each centre will retain its autonomy in decision-making, service delivery and funding and will have equal representation within the SRCA. All centres will continue to work to and evidence their adherence to the Rape Crisis National Standards.

All four founding members of the SRCA have announced their separation from Rape Crisis Scotland.

Collectively, members of the SRCA represent 41.42% of Scotland’s female population, across 12 of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas. The latest annual reporting shows that the four members delivered 40% of national support to survivors of rape and sexual violence.

Collectively, the centres supported 4,393 survivors in the last year.

Claudia Macdonald-Bruce, director of Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis, said:

“We must be honest with ourselves, and especially with survivors. What we are doing as a country is not working.

“In fact, over time we have seen the slow and gradual erosion of the rights of women and girls to live in a society free of male violence. Rape and attempted rapes have soared, with no meaningful intervention to prevent these crimes.

“The SRCA exists to hold to account those who fail to protect the right of women and girls to live in safety, to feel confident walking the streets of our cities, and to know that things will get better for future generations.

“Words and well-meaning concern alone are not enough. The SRCA is built on the foundations of survivor-focused centres that aims to convert collective outrage into concrete, visible action that delivers real change for women and girls.

“The next government must fully acknowledge the scale of this crisis and respond with the urgency and leadership it demands. The SRCA will work with anyone who shares our concerns and wishes to see meaningful change for the better.”

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed by the four rape crisis centres. It states its mission is to “represent the rights of women and girls, amplify their voices and the voices of survivors, use collective strength, expertise, and feminist values to drive systemic change”.

The SRCA also says it “will hold to account those who fail to protect the right of women and girls to live in safety, free from the threat of sexual violence”.

Helen Provan from Lanarkshire Rape Crisis Centre, said:

“Our role is to take back control of the conversation and the action required to keep women and girls safe. Drawing on our shared expertise and feminist values, we are committed to driving meaningful change, with survivors central to everything we do.

“As an alliance, we will continue to challenge and hold accountable those who fail in their duty to uphold every woman and girl’s right to live safely and free from violence.”

Isabelle Kerr from The STAR Centre – Rape Crisis Ayrshire, said:

“Our concerns about protecting women and girls have fallen on deaf ears at times. Enough is enough. Scotland needs a reset in the way it prevents and treats such crimes. We need an honest national conversation about what’s working and what isn’t, and the courage to face uncomfortable truths instead of clinging to the status quo. The SRCA will do just that, and welcome constructive conversations from all corners.”

Angela McLennan from Western Isles Rape Crisis Centre, said:

“As a rape crisis centre serving several island communities, we are acutely aware of the unique pressures our service and survivors face, from geographic isolation and limited transport links to heightened visibility and constrained local resources. It is vital that national structures genuinely reflect the stark realities of frontline centres like ours.

“We’re proud to join the SRCA in solidarity and accountability to survivors, and to use our collective strength to ensure that the voices of local communities, including those in remote, rural and island areas, are heard when decisions impacting our centre are made.”

The MOU further states that the SRCA will:

• Demand that violence against women and girls is treated as a public health crisis, with prevention, accountability, and survivor-centred responses at its core
• Advocate for and secure long-term, sustainable funding for local centres to ensure that lifesaving support services are stable, resilient, and not dependent on short-term or precarious funding arrangements