Scotland's first clinic for victims of sexual violence is to open at the end of February in Glasgow. Experts said women who had experienced sexual violence often could not face going to the doctors for smear tests and other intimate examinations.The new clinic will also provide specialist medical care and support for victims.

My Body Back (MBB) is based in Sandyford, the NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (NHSGGC) sexual health service and is funded by the Scottish Government. The project brings together the West of Scotland Sexual Health Managed Clinical Network, NHSGGC and Rape Crisis together with My Body Back (London) to bring the service to Glasgow. The service will provide as comfortable an environment as possible with dedicated workers from Glasgow & Clyde Rape crisis.

Charity founder Pavan Amara said: “ We realised early on there was a need for this service in Glasgow because we received many emails from Scottish women who have experienced sexual violence, saying they wanted to use our service but could not afford to travel to our London clinics. We are grateful for support from The Scottish Government Equally Safe Fund which provided funding to start the service in Scotland.”

Dr Pauline McGough, Clinical Director at Sandyford, said: “There are many reasons why women may not come for smear testing. Survivors of sexual violence face particular barriers.  We hope this trauma-informed service will give these women the chance to come back into the screening programme and move forward with their recovery.”