Glasgow Rape Crisis splits from national network

A rape crisis charity in Glasgow has severed ties with the national Rape Crisis Scotland network, saying the two are “at odds” over single-sex services.

Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis said that following a review, the board has concluded it could best support service users by becoming an independent operator.

A spokesperson said: “This is not a decision we have taken lightly. We have done so to hold fast to our principles and to best serve the women and girls that need our support.

“We were created to provide support by and for women. We believe, and women have consistently told us, that single-sex services delivered by an all-female workforce are crucial to help them heal from sexual trauma. This approach remains our priority but is at odds with RCS’.”

The charity supports almost a third of all survivors who approach the rape crisis network in Scotland.

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton has welcomed the decision. She said: “Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis deserve every credit for taking this principled stance.

“It is just common sense that rape crisis centres across Scotland should be a safe haven for women but shamefully that has not been the case.... This decision will rightly be applauded and should be the catalyst for an urgent change in the culture within Rape Crisis Scotland. Only then will there be any possibility of them ever regaining the trust of women and girls.”

The announcement comes shortly after Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre (ERCC) was criticised by an independent report for failing to provide single-sex spaces.

The report also found that the centre’s chief executive – Mridul Wadhwa who has since stepped down from the role – had “failed to set professional standards of behaviour”.

Sandy Brindley, chief executive of Rape Crisis Scotland, has apologised to survivors who had been let down by the Edinburgh service – but she has faced calls to quit for failing to intervene sooner.

Tory MSP Sue Webber said last month there needed to be a “complete reset” within ERCC, Rape Crisis Scotland and the Scottish Government.

She added: “It’s time for the leadership of the ERCC to step down and, indeed, to allow for an entire change of culture, so too should the chief executive of Rape Crisis Scotland who championed the very policies that have been the centre of this entire caustic situation.”

Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis said it will continue to work with sister rape crisis centres, and there will no change to the services it offers to survivors.