A rape crisis centre in Scotland has decided to close after an employment tribunal ruled that a former board member “regularly demonstrated aggression”.
The Central Scotland Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre in Stirling has today confirmed it will close, after Duncan Dennett, who was last year awarded an MBE for services to the country, was accused of intimidating staff at an employment tribunal. The tribunal also ruled that the charity’s chair failed to follow up on numerous complaints made against Dennett, it has been widely reported. A former worker, Helen McKean, was awarded £19,400 for constructive dismissal.
The Daily Record reported that the charity was undefended at the tribunal.
In a written statement, Judge Chris Lucas said: “The tribunal has been provided with ample evidence to back up Ms McKean’s contention that Mr Dennett regularly demonstrated aggression within the centre.
“There was also ample evidence to demonstrate that Ms McKean and many others had brought Mr Dennett’s conduct to the attention of the board but the board had done little or nothing to procure that his aggressive conduct was stopped.”
The tribunal also heard evidence from four of McKean’s former colleagues, who all described Dennett as aggressive.
A spokeswoman from the charity confirmed it had closed but said the reasons are more complex than the employment tribunal case, which she was unable to discuss.
She said: “As a result of decisions taken before the current trustees took control we were faced with an enormous monthly outlay which we were unable to cancel. At the same time our funds were cut, and in some cases promised but simply not paid.
“We were forced to make the most difficult decision any charity faces. Throughout this our major concern has been for the users of our service who relied on the support of our dedicated team; and the wonderful staff and volunteers we have lost. Without their dedication we wouldn't have been able to continue this long.
“Service users are being supported on a temporary basis within the Forth valley area and Rape Crisis Scotland will begin the process of developing a new charity to take over the work, without the millstones we have had. We wish them every success in the future.”
The Scottish Government provided funding of £50,000 a year to Central Scotland Rape Crisis between 2012 and 2015. The charity’s income last year was £163,765, with an expenditure of £169,906.
A spokesman from the Scottish Government said: "We will be working closely with Rape Crisis Scotland to ensure a new local rape crisis service is established for Central Scotland as soon as practicable.
"Funding for this new service will be contingent upon it meeting eligibility requirements for Scottish Government funding, including Rape Crisis Scotland's national service standards.”
