A total of 14 rape crisis centres are set to receive additional funding from the Scottish Government.

As confirmed in the SNP's 2018-19 Programme for Government, £1.5 million of funding will be made available over the next three years to ensure victims of sexual violence receive the support they need more quickly.

Glasgow and Clyde and Dundee Rape Crisis Centres will each receive £74,000 - the largest allocations.

While Grampian, Fife, Lanarkshire, Forth Valley, Scottish Borders, Edinburgh, Highland and Perth and Kinross will each receive £37,000.

Moray, Shetland, Ayrshire and the South Wets will also receive a share of the funding.

Minister for Older People and Equalities Christina McKelvie said: "We are committed to preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls. And a huge part of delivering on that commitment is ensuring that victims of rape or sexual assault are able to come forward and access the right support when they need it.

"The work that rape crisis centres do is invaluable and that is why I am delighted to confirm the distribution to 14 centres – from Shetland to the Scottish Borders - of £1.5 million over the next three years.

"That funding will bolster the resource available to each centre to ensure that more people can receive support, more quickly, as well as helping these services plan for the future."

Rape Crisis Scotland said the funding will make a "big difference" to the support available, but warned that, even with the extra cash, under-funding is still an issue.

Sandy Brindley, chief executive of the charity, said: "Many of our centres currently have significant waiting lists, and we know that having plucked up the courage to contact a rape crisis service, being told there is a waiting list can be very distressing. 

"Rape is a crime which can have a devastating impact, and support should be available when someone needs it. 

"This funding won’t solve all of the problems caused by the under funding of rape crisis centres across Scotland, but it will make a considerable difference."