INVERNESS Women's Aid, which is located in Merkinch, has been granted £45,000 by Highland Council's housing committee. This is more than double the £20,000 the charity normally receives. The increased funding is in response to an urgent appeal from Women's Aid because of the number of larger families making use of the facilities. The centre takes in up to seven families at a time, and between 40 and 70 families per year, and a high proportion of the domestic abuse that causes women to escape home with their children – at least a half – is down to alcohol.