A SUPPORT service for women and children at risk of violence and domestic abuse in West Dunbartonshire is set for a funding boost of almost £50,000.

The Scottish Government has announced that the West Dunbartonshire Council support service will receive £24,966 for the year to March 2021 – and, subject to budgets for the new financial year, the same amount again to see the service through to September 2021.

The financial support is part of a package of additional funding worth £4.25 million for children and projects across Scotland.

The additional investment will help respond to an increase in demand from victims of abuse for support services during the coronavirus pandemic.

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More staff, increased hours for centres and helplines, improvements to IT and new digital resources and training will all allow services to be up-scaled so that more people can quickly and easily access help.

Equalities minister Christina McKelvie said: “The greater risks to women and children of domestic abuse, with referrals to frontline services increasing during the pandemic, is a major concern.

“It is atrocious that this is the case but we are focused on ensuring that frontline services can meet the increased demand for support.

“Any kind of violence is unacceptable and the safety and wellbeing needs of women and children need to be protected - that is even more important during a pandemic.