Scottish Women’s Aid said yesterday that tens of thousands of women and children contact the domestic violence charity every year seeking advice and support.

A survey by the charity revealed that around 100 women and children get in touch every day and it deals with some 25,000 new cases a year.

A survey also found that 347 women and 331 children were living in Women’s Aid refuges, while a further 33 women were still seeking refuge, while for nine a safe and suitable place could not be found.

Shockingly, at least two of the women who did not receive accommodation continued to live with an abusive partner.

Scottish Women’s Aid chief executive Dr Marsha Scott said the figures represented “a symbol of fear, control and resistance.”

Ms Scott praised the “vital” work the charity does in “protecting women and children and helping them rebuild their lives” as well as “celebrating the strength and resilience survivors.”

Ms Scott said that refuge spaces have to be available for those in need, adding that, perhaps even more importantly, “women and children need support to stay safely in their own homes or to do a planned move.”

Scottish Labour MSP Rhoda Grant attacked the Scottish government for not backing Police Scotland’s zero-tolerance approach to domestic violence and providing additional resources.

Ms Grant called on the SNP government to “step up to the plate,” saying that it has “cross-party support to help these vulnerable families.”

She warned that its Domestic Violence Bill “has been watered down and will not meet expectations.”