Health Minister Shona Robison visited a women's refuge in Glasgow yesterday to announce £22m of funding to help victims of domestic violence.
The money will be used to support centres and projects across Scotland which help women and children who have taken steps to leave behind their violent homes.
The refuge is run by Glasgow Women's Aid, which will receive £1.1m over three years from a fund which targets work done with children who have experienced domestic abuse.
Family worker Elaine, who cannot be fully identified because of the high level of security at the refuge, said the funding is "vital".
"Without this kind of support women would not be able to move on from abusive situations and get their lives back on track. We can help to ensure their safety and wellbeing, and allow the women and their children to have choices in life.
"Children can come here with a whole range of issues and here they can learn to live without fear."
The funding announced yesterday forms part of the £44.54m budget for tackling violence against women and addressing issues, including rape and sexual assault, forced marriage and sexual exploitation.
Ms Robison said yesterday: "Violence against women continues to devastate the lives of too many women and children in Scotland."
During the visit Ms Robison met a resident who has lived at the refuge with her children after escaping her violent ex-husband three months ago.
The woman said: "I had a lovely, lovely house. I couldn't have wanted better.
"But if you get to the point where you do not want to leave your bedroom, or jump every time the doorbell goes, those lovely things mean nothing. People used to say our family was like The Waltons, but it really wasn't.
"I would rather be in the gutter and feel safe than have everything and feel afraid. It just so happened I didn't have to go to the gutter. I could come here instead."
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