Highland politicians seek urgent answers over future of domestic abuse services
A Highland politician - and survivor of sexual violence - is seeking an urgent meeting with Highland Council amid concerns Women’s Aid services are at risk.
Highland and Islands SNP MSP Emma Roddick shares concerns raised today that domestic abuse services for women, children and young people in the Highlands could close following a review of how they are provided.
Answers are also being sought by Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant who said it is essential that such services for women are designed and delivered by women.
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It comes as Highland Council is consulting on plans to invite a single provider to deliver domestic abuse services for all genders across all areas of the Highlands.
It has prompted a strongly-worded joint statement from Women’s Aid groups in Inverness, Lochaber, Ross-shire and Skye, Caithness and Sutherland plus Scottish Women’s Aid that the move will directly threaten the lives and the wellbeing of women, children and young people seeking support, their cases will be underserved and this will cause harm.
They maintain a single-service model will lead to reduced funding and eliminate the option for women to choose a service that makes them feel safe.
Ms Roddick, who met Women’s Aid groups in the Highlands earlier this month to discuss the issue, “absolutely” shares their concerns.
“As a survivor, I know that the expertise that exists within these local groups is invaluable, and any changes which could limit the access for women in need is a problem that needs immediate and careful discussion,” she said.
“My team has been pursuing an urgent meeting with Highland Council to discuss this further on behalf of Women’s Aid groups but, sadly, I am yet to receive a reply.”
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has written to the council highlighting her concerns.
“All four Women’s Aid organisations that represent the Highland region provide invaluable, specialised, on the ground services to both women and children who are victim of domestic abuse,” she said.
“During these difficult economic times, money should be invested into these services – not taken away.
“All genders deserve domestic abuse services. However, it is well documented that domestic abuse perpetrated by men against women is much more prevalent and is rooted in women's inequality.
“Abusive men use inequality of power and wealth to perpetrate abuse is therefore part of wider societal inequality.
“It is, therefore, essential that services for women are designed and delivered by women.
“Women’s aid groups have a long history in providing this service and should continue to be enable to do so.”
A Highland Council spokesperson said several council contracts were currently under review including the provision of domestic abuse services.
“The Highland Council is a member of a shared procurement service which leads on commissioning across Highland, Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils,” the spokesperson said.
“As part of this exercise, we are looking to maximise public value for our expenditure and have taken advice from our shared procurement service in relation the contracts we currently have with the four Woman’s Aid groups that operate in Highland.
“The lead officer responsible for undertaking this review attended a seminar last year specifically in relation to SWA and COSLA ‘Good practice in commissioning guidance’.
“The drafting of the specification for domestic abuse services will reflect these best practice principles and continues to be developed with feedback from the Highland Violence Against Women Partnership, the four local Women’s Aid Groups and Women’s Aid Scotland. This engagement also includes the voice and testimony of service users.
“As we develop our approach to consultation, we plan to issue a Prior Information Notice (PIN) to test the market to see if there are potential service providers who could demonstrate a lead provider model which would cover all domestic abuse victims across all of Highland.
This will enable us to reach out to wider partners to better understand the needs of our communities.
This notification will help us determine whether a lead provider model is viable and will ensure that all potential providers can engage with us as we seek to deliver improved domestic abuse services across Highland.
“We recognise and acknowledge the concerns that have been raised by the Women’s Aid groups and will continue to take cognisance of their views and those of other stakeholders as we develop our model.
“No final decision has been taken on the future funding and service delivery model and the process of review outlined is very much in the ‘consultation’ stage.
“We hope that we can continue to work with stakeholders as we draft the specification and PIN and consult more widely before considering our next steps in any tender process.
“We will continue to support the current funding model during this process.”
