EVEN more domestic abuse victims can now find refuge in Warwickshire.
Warwickshire County Council has commissioned a new accommodation model to widen its domestic abuse support to make it more accessible.
Using government finding, WCC has worked with domestic abuse service provider Refuge so that the shelter it supports is not limited to women and their children.
The new model will support male domestic abuse survivors, larger families, female victims with sons over the age of 12, transgender victims, victims with disabilities, victims with pets and older victim-survivors with mobility needs.
Self-contained properties, of various sizes, will be offered across Warwickshire along with tailored wrap-around support.
The decision to offer more flexible support to all victim-survivors responds to requirements of the Domestic Abuse Act (2021) and follows extensive local research which highlighted a need for equitable and accessible support.
WCC’s community safety spokesperson Coun Andy Crump said: “Warwickshire has a comprehensive safe accommodation provision that has only been bolstered by the addition of the dispersed accommodation. Central government funding has allowed for further investment into our safe accommodation strategy, taking into account the need for housing units that meets wider representation needs. I am pleased to see the expansion of the support and the continuation of our working relationship with Refuge.”
Ruth Davison, CEO of Refuge, added: “I’m delighted that Refuge has been able to deliver this new accommodation service with the help of all our partners.
“At Refuge, we are committed to delivering a high-quality, specialist service which is tailored to the needs of every survivor. The new dispersed accommodation service will allow us to support survivors who need to flee to new accommodation, but for whom a traditional refuge setting may not be appropriate – such as those with older male children, large families, or pets.
“I look forward to seeing the success of this new model as it continues to expand in the coming year.”
The new model of dispersed accommodation will initially run as a pilot for the next two years, with ongoing reviews until 2025.
To contact Refuge visit www.refuge.org.uk or call the 24/7 helpline on 0808 2000 247.
