(Image: Colin Mearns)
A rape crisis centre has warned it will be forced to make further cuts to services unless it secures additional funding within weeks, as it launches an urgent fundraising appeal.
Glasgow & Clyde Rape Crisis (GCRC), which is marking its 50th anniversary, has launched its “For Her” appeal after already closing some waiting lists amid record demand for specialist support.
The organisation says further cuts to waiting lists and services will be inevitable unless more funding is secured within the next four weeks.
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In February, 182 survivors were waiting for support from the centre, with waiting times of up to 226 days.
The warning comes as recorded sexual crime in Scotland has reached its highest level since comparable records began in 1971.
There were 16,430 sexual crimes recorded in Scotland in 2025-26, according to Scottish Government figures, while rape and attempted rape also reached a record high, with 3,229 offences recorded.
A rape or attempted rape is reported to police in Glasgow roughly every 18 hours.
The centre is now calling on individuals, businesses and organisations across Glasgow and Clyde to support its For Her campaign, with individuals encouraged to raise £50 and businesses, organisations and groups asked to raise £500 each by November 2027.
Claudia Macdonald-Bruce, director of Glasgow & Clyde Rape Crisis, said: “For 50 years, we have sat alongside women and girls at some of the darkest moments of their lives. We hear what happens after the police leave, after the headlines disappear, and when a woman is left trying to work out how to live with what has happened.
“We are seeing the consequences of a system buckling under pressure. Women are coming to us carrying trauma, fear, shame and uncertainty, and some are then being told that they have to wait months for the specialist support they need.
“Imagine surviving rape and then being told that the help you need is not available for nine months. Imagine having finally found the courage to ask for help, only to be placed on a waiting list.
“That cannot be good enough. And it cannot be what we accept for women and girls in Scotland today.”
Claudia Macdonald-Bruce, director of Glasgow & Clyde Rape Crisis. (Image: Colin Mearns)
The organisation estimates it needs at least £271 to provide support to one survivor, while the fuller cost of delivering specialist support is closer to £500.
The appeal is intended to help the charity maintain free specialist support and advocacy for women and girls who have experienced rape and sexual violence.
Ms Macdonald-Bruce added: “We have been here for 50 years. We don’t want to be here for the next 50, but the sad reality is that we are needed now more than ever before.
“We hope our 50th anniversary will bring people together to raise what they can and stand behind women and girls who need our support.
“Our For Her appeal is about standing with women and girls when they need us most. We are asking the people of Glasgow and Clyde to get behind For Her and help us keep our services free and accessible.”
GCRC supports women and girls across Glasgow and Clyde who have experienced rape or sexual violence, whether recently or in the past.
Its services include phone, email and text support through Connect Live, delivered by staff and trained volunteers.
The organisation said every donation and fundraising effort would help it sustain services and reduce barriers faced by women and girls seeking support.
Ms Macdonald-Bruce added: “We cannot change what has happened to a survivor. But we can change what happens next. Women and girls deserve better, and we will be here for them at every turn – but we need help to do that.”
The For Her appeal will run throughout GCRC’s 50th anniversary year, with fundraising continuing until November 2027.
Earlier this week, Scottish Government officials met with Glasgow & Clyde Rape Crisis to discuss their commitments to tackling violence against women and girls.
Equalities Minister Simita Kumar said: "We are taking forward our strongest ever plan to tackle violence against women and girls, including supporting specialist services for victims and survivors when they need it most.
"Our Programme for Government commits to funding organisations under significant pressure, including rape crisis centres providing justice advocacy who have closed their waiting lists for that support.
“We will also enhance arrangements for the Delivering Equally Safe Fund, which benefited from a 5% increase in 2026-27, and will develop a new multi-year fund to ensure vital services are sustainable and can respond flexibly to need.
"Through Equally Safe, our joint strategy with COSLA, we are working to prevent violence from happening in the first place, improve support for victims and survivors, and strengthen the response to perpetrators."