On International Women’s Day (8 March), the Scottish government announced an increase in funding for the Fund to Leave initiative.
The scheme, open to women and their children seeking to leave abusive relationships, has been in operation since February 2026.
Having initially provided £1.5m for the scheme in 2025-2026, the Scottish government has granted it £2m for 2026-2027, expecting to support up to 2,400 women experiencing abuse.
The fund, coordinated by Scottish Women’s Aid, provides up to £1,000 for women who have left, or are planning to leave, abusive relationships.
The financial aid can be used for a variety of needs, including costs associated with leaving abusive partners, legal advice, or immediate essentials (such as food, clothing and furniture).
Applicants must live in one of Scotland’s local authority areas, have experienced domestic abuse within the last 12 months, and meet one of the criteria listed on the Scottish Women’s Aid website.
Eligible applicants receive financial support through fund delivery partners, including local Women’s Aid organisations and other specialist domestic abuse services.
According to First Minister John Swinney, the scheme has already supported 233 women this year, with 300 children also benefiting. These women received £700 on average.
The initiative aims to reduce homelessness among victims of domestic abuse.
In 2024-25 alone, nearly one in four women seeking homelessness assistance in Scotland specified violent or abusive household disputes as their reason.
The provision of financial support builds on previous legislation preventing homelessness among women facing abuse.
his includes the Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Act 2021 which created powers for social landlords to end an abuser’s interest in a joint tenancy so the victim and her children could remain in the home.
Scottish Women’s Aid continues to campaign for the scheme to be made permanent, protecting future women and children from the financial burden of escaping abuse.
Edinburgh University’s Feminist Society took a similar position when approached for comment:
“Initiatives like this save lives, and constant pressure and effort needs to be maintained to continue the expansion of the Fund to Leave initiative.”
The fund is available until 30 June, or at an earlier date if funds are spent.
If you need immediate support for domestic abuse, contact Scotland’s Domestic Abuse helpline on 0800 027 1234, or Edinburgh Women’s Aid on 0131 315 8110.
Image by Ulia Makoveeva for The Student.