Thousands of women and children across Scotland could receive help to leave abusive relationships after new funding was announced on International Women’s Day.
The Scottish Government has confirmed £2 million will be provided for the Fund to Leave initiative during the 2026 to 2027 financial year.
The fund provides emergency financial support to women who are leaving abusive partners, helping them cover immediate essentials and remove the financial barriers that can trap them in dangerous situations.
Support can include help with rent, transport and essential items such as food and clothing as women move quickly to safety.
Economic abuse and financial uncertainty are widely recognised as key reasons why many women remain in harmful relationships.
Domestic abuse also remains one of the leading causes of homelessness for women in Scotland.
During 2024 to 2025, nearly one in four women seeking homelessness assistance reported violent or abusive household disputes as the reason they were forced to leave their homes.
The additional funding could support as many as 2,400 women and their children over the coming year.
First Minister John Swinney said the fund is designed to remove one of the biggest barriers women face when trying to escape abuse.
“Domestic abuse is one of the most harmful and pervasive forms of violence against women and girls, and there is absolutely no place for it in modern Scotland.
“We are determined to break down the financial barriers that prevent women from leaving abusive partners so they can begin to safely rebuild their lives and protect their children from harm.
“Since launching earlier this year, the Fund to Leave has already supported more than 230 women and 300 children to safely leave abusive relationships.
“This has included support to pay rent, afford transport and buy essentials including food and clothing.
“By increasing the amount of funding available for the year ahead, we will ensure more women and children are kept safe from abusive men, reducing homelessness and helping create a fairer society.
The Fund to Leave is administered by Scottish Women’s Aid alongside local women’s aid groups across Scotland.
Women who have no recourse to public funds are also able to apply for support.
Since the national fund launched in February 2026, 233 women have already received financial help while around 300 children have also benefited.
The average award from the fund has been approximately £700.
The initiative forms part of the wider Ending Homelessness Together Fund, with the previous national allocation set at £1.5 million during the 2025 to 2026 financial year.
Information on applying for the fund is available through the Scottish Women’s Aid website
