Refuge opened the world's first refuge in Chiswick in 1971. Since then we have grown to become the country's largest single provider of specialist accommodation and support to women and children escaping domestic violence - a national lifeline for up to 80,000 women and children every year. Refuge provides safe emergency accommodation through a growing network of refuges throughout the country and runs the Freephone 24-Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline. Call 0808 2000 247.
Nationally, Refuge also offers services for children, individual and peer support groups for people who have or who are experiencing domestic violence and abuse and community based outreach services. These include specialist services for minority ethnic communities and a growing team of independent advocates to support women through the court process.
Refuge runs award winning media and advertising campaigns to raise public awareness of the issue and lobbies for better provision of services for women and children experiencing domestic violence.
Refuge - Domestic Violence Service Warwickshire provides - Domestic abuse helpline: Free phone 0800 408 1552 FREE Monday - Friday 8.30 am - 8.30 pm
Safe refuge accommodation - Refuge provides 24 units of safe accommodation at four different sites across the county. They provide self contained and shared temporary accommodation for women and their children who are fleeing domestic violence. Specialist staff are on site to provide personalised emotional and practical support.
Referrals can be made via the helpline on 0800 408 1552 between 9am - 5pm and out of hours on 07769 140 874.
Support Workers - Outreach support workers work with clients to support them in their own accommodation (as opposed to someone moving into a refuge). As well as supporting people with their accommodation, the service offers support with many other aspects including:
- Personal safety and security
- Finances bills etc..
- Education training and employment
- Health and Wellbeing
- Social skills, networks, activities etc...
Sanctuary Scheme - The Sanctuary Scheme provides support to help victims to remain living safely in their own homes once they have ended their relationship, including the installation of home security measures.
Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs) - The IDVAs provide support to people at the highest levels of risk of harm. This includes supporting people who are involved in bringing criminal charges against the perpetrator. IDVAs provide support during court hearings, act as an advocate and refer people to a range of other specialist agencies and support.
Specialist Health IDVA work within Warwick Hospital and the George Elliot Hospital. Specialist Housing IDVA works across the five district and borough housing teams.
IRIS: Identification and Referral to Improve Safety
Three advocate educators: North Warwickshire Rugby and South Warwickshire
Target GPs and health professionals Raises awareness of domestic abuse and referral pathways
10-week group programme for women focusing on the dynamics of domestic violence
Drop-in services held at locations across Warwickshire to meet outreach team
All of these services are available to anyone affected by domestic abuse who is over the age of 16 and living in Warwickshire. All services can be accessed through the helpline number: 0800 408 1552 FREE Remember in an emergency dial 999
Information for Professionals:
- Referrals line for professionals: 0800 408 1552 Monday - Friday 8.30am - 8.30pm
- Referrals from members of the public email dvsw@refuge.org.uk
- Secure professionals email dvsw.referrals@refuge.cjsm.net
Refuge also co-ordinate Warwickshire's Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) for high risk victims of domestic abuse. MARACs are multi-agency meetings which focus on the safety plan of high risk victims of domestic abuse. Professionals concerned that a victim of domestic violence and abuse may be at a high level of risk of harm can refer cases to the MARAC Co-ordinator.
MARAC referrals should be sent by secure email to warwickshire.maracreferrals@refuge.cjsm.net If the referrer can only use in-secure email, then the relevant password should be obtained via telephone on 0800 4081552 from the MARAC Coordinator and the referral form sent as a doc.x or PDF document in a password protected zip file to Warwickshiremaracreferrals@refuge.org.uk