For those fleeing domestic abuse – with or without children – refuges and other safe accommodation provide space for people to access support from specialist staff and make future decisions free from pressure and fear.
This is critical in helping individuals and families rebuild their lives after the trauma of their experience.
Cornwall’s specialist safe accommodation empowers people to live without abuse, fulfil their potential and make informed positive choices.
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 part 4 placed a statutory duty on local authorities in England to provide support to victims of domestic abuse and their children in refuges and other safe accommodation. In Cornwall, we deliver a comprehensive safe accommodation offer to fulfil this duty and after a robust tender programme, the existing services were recently awarded new contracts which will continue to ensure the provision of high-quality support.
There is a range of services available providing safe accommodation options available for different individual needs, including for those with additional vulnerabilities, based on assessment of risk and need.
These services are:
- Women and children’s refuge provision in mid and west Cornwall provided by Cornwall Refuge Trust and West Cornwall Women’s Aid
- Men and children’s refuge provision in mid Cornwall provided by Cornwall Refuge Trust
- Accommodation for women fleeing domestic abuse who have multiple complexities in mid and east Cornwall, including wheelchair accessible accommodation provided by Harbour Housing
- Dispersed units of safe accommodation-based support for women and men, with or without children, with complex needs or other vulnerabilities in various locations across Cornwall provided by Live West
Further information on direct access routes into these services will be published here soon.
Safer Futures works with all of the safe accommodation providers as well as other domestic abuse and sexual violence services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. For assistance on accessing refuge and other services, their helpline is open Monday to Friday, 09:00-21:00 and Saturday, 09:00-17:00.
0300 777 4777
saferfutures.org.uk
Email: [email protected]