Refuge

Refuge is emergency accommodation for women (and their children, if they have any) that need to leave their homes in order to escape domestic abuse and ensure their own safety. Refuge address is kept strictly confidential, as it is common for abusive partners to try their best to seek out the women who have sought shelter. Security is a priority, with CCTV and other safety measures in place.

West Mercia Women's Aid (WMWA) offers refuge accommodation for women and children fleeing from domestic abuse, under a licence agreement. A support worker is available to complete a risk and needs assessment, a safety plan and an empowerment support plan, as well as providing specialist emotional support to help with beginning the process of recovery from the experience of domestic abuse. Refuge staff also provide support with housing issues and the move to permanent long term accommodation, as well as support with communal living, finances and practical life skills.

Refuge is temporary accommodation and women and their children will share a bedroom. In most of our accommodation, they may also share the bathroom, kitchen and lounge facilities with other women and their families. Everyone in refuge is there for the same reason, and the disadvantages of communal living are counter-balanced by the support that women give to each other.

WMWA has three refuges in Worcestershire and Herefordshire, and some safe satellite flats in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.