A Holyrood committee has urged the Scottish Government to create a single point of contact to help domestic abuse victims leave their relationships.
The Social Justice and Social Security Committee launched an inquiry in December into the financial implications on abuse survivors looking to escape.
Some abusers can use what is called "economic abuse" to control victims, including overseeing bank accounts and restricting access to money.
Convener Collette Stevenson said the financial toll of leaving an abusive relationship can be 'absolutely devastating´ (Andrew Cowan/Scottish Parliament/PA)
In a report published on Wednesday, the committee urged the Government to make seeking support easier for victims, who are usually required to seek a variety of different information.
The committee recommended the Government works alongside local authority body Cosla to embed a single point of contact within councils who can help those seeking to flee abusive relationships.
The report said: "We recognise that the breadth of advice and information in which those leaving abusive relationships need to access can be vast.
"We ask that the Scottish Government works with Cosla to create a single point of contact that victim/survivors can go to within a local authority to explain their situation.
"The staff member could then liaise with others across the council, as well as externally with Social Security Scotland and the Department for Work and Pensions, to get information on the support needed.
"This could also help address the issue of victim/survivors having to tell their stories repeatedly, which can be re-traumatising."
The committee also pushed for the Government to release an update on a pilot fund which helped more than 500 women.
The Fund to Leave was trialled in five different council areas between October 2023 and March 2024, offering up to £1,000 to address the cost of essentials needed to leave abusive relationships, but it has yet to be rolled out across the country.
While the committee noted the financial hardships facing national and local government, the report called for an update to be provided on when a final decision about the rollout would be made.
The committee also heard that victims are more likely to suffer from benefit sanctions when attempting to leave abusive relationships, and urged the UK Government to consider changing the five week waits new claimants face when applying for universal credit - though Tory members of the committee voted against this recommendation.
The MSPs also pushed for the UK Government to create a single point of contact for survivors to discuss their benefit entitlement.
Committee convener Collette Stevenson said: "The impact and cost of leaving an abusive relationship can be absolutely devastating and it is critical that victims and survivors can access advice and support quickly and easily.
"Our report calls for the Scottish Government to strengthen and standardise the support that is available to people.
"We heard about some excellent work that exists, but it is inconsistent and not always easy to find, which has created barriers for people in horrendously stressful situations."
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "Violence against women and girls is totally abhorrent.
"Scottish ministers welcome the committee's report and its finding that support is essential for victims and survivors of domestic and economic abuse. That is why we are providing record levels of funding for vital support services.
"For example, the delivering equally safe fund provides £21.6 million a year to projects which deliver specialist support to survivors of violence against women, including one that gives financial advice and support for survivors in Glasgow."
The spokesperson added: "In addition, the victim-centred approach fund provides over £32 million to 23 organisations between 2025-2027, including £12 million for advocacy support for survivors of gender-based violence.
"And our victim surcharge fund helps organisations that support crime victims, including those who have experienced domestic abuse, access basic necessities and emotional support.
"Having already helped more than 5,000 people since 2019, it's currently open for applications for the sixth time."