Nicola Sturgeon urged to set up fund to help women with costs of fleeing abuse

‘The needs of women and children experiencing domestic abuse have slipped down the priority list,’ says Scottish Women’s Aid. Photograph: Roos Koole/Getty Images

A leading charity in Scotland has accused Nicola Sturgeon’s government of making women and children suffering domestic abuse “a footnote” in its response to the cost of living crisis.

Scottish Women’s Aid (SWA), a domestic abuse charity, warned that “the needs of women and children experiencing domestic abuse have slipped down the priority list”, as the organisation launched a campaign to highlight the cost of leaving an abusive relationship.