RUTH Davidson last night faced scathing criticism from campaigners who claim she "hasn't lifted a finger" to speak up for those affected by the controversial 'rape clause'.

A Freedom of Information request by the SNP revealed that Tory leader Davidson had not engaged with the Department for Work and Pensions since the clause came into force. The rule means that a woman has to prove a third child was conceived after being raped to be exempt from a two-child tax credit cap."

Davidson was accused of failing to use her influence with Tory ministers in charge of the DWP since the policy was introduced on April 6.

SNP MP Alison Thewliss, who launched a campaign group – Scrap The Rape Clause – last night said inaction by Davidson showed she did not care about those affected by the changes.

She added that Davidson had failed to listen to widespread opposition to the policy, which including a petition signed by 10,000 people.

The British Medical Association and charities like Rape Crisis Scotland and Scottish Women's Aid have also criticised the clause.

Thewliss highlighted how Davidson had previously said that rape victims only have to "tick a box" and "put their name on it" to claim additional child benefit.

The SNP MP for Glasgow Central said: “The family cap is wrong in principle, and it is wrong that any woman should have to prove she has been raped in order to claim support for one of her children, as is the case with the inhumane rape clause.

“The fact that Ruth Davidson hasn’t even approached the DWP to discuss these contemptible policies since they were introduced shows just how little she cares about the impact they are having.

“The Scots Tory leader has falsely claimed on a number of occasions that all you need to do is ‘tick a box’ to receive the benefits, when the reality is much more traumatic and damaging than that.

"The family cap will drag hundreds of thousands more children below the poverty line, leaving working families unable to make up for the cut, and the High Court has ruled that the DWPs’ policy discriminates against the poorest families in our society. And the trauma and stigma that the rape assessment process will cause both survivors and children of rape is unthinkable.

“We can’t pretend these policies aren’t affecting people’s lives, and the fact Ruth Davidson hasn’t lifted a finger to object to them speaks volumes about her priorities.”

However, a spokesman for the Scottish Tories continued to defend the policy and claimed rape victims were protected by the cap.

The spokesman said: "This exemption was introduced to ensure women who have given birth as a result of rape would not be subject to the cap. If the SNP has any ideas on how this could operate better, we'd be happy to hear them."

A DWP spokesperson, defending the clause, added: “This reform ensures people on benefits have to make the same choices as those supporting themselves solely through work. But we have always been clear this will be delivered in the most effective, compassionate way, with the right safeguards in place.

“This exception is crucial to protect women who are faced with this very difficult situation and by using third-party professionals who already support vulnerable women, we can ensure it can be applied as sensitively as possible. The third-party professionals involved do not need to seek any evidence to confirm the circumstances.”