Appendix 1

for information

Committee: Social Services, Housing and Benefits

Date: 12.6.03

Title: Womens Refuge – background information

Domestic violence accounts for 16% of homelessness acceptances nationally every year. Approximately 20,000 households lose their homes through DV.

There are more than 250 refuges in the UK working under the umbrella body of Womens Aid Federation England. Island Womens Refuge (IWR) is one of these.

IWR has been registered with the Charity Commission since 1985. The first Refuge on the Island was opened in 1991 and the building that is currently in use opened in 1997. The property is owned by South Wight Housing Association and was acquired with a Housing Corporation capital grant. It has six family units with 21 bedspaces.

A refuge is a safe house used as confidential, crisis accommodation for women and their children escaping domestic violence.

Since 1991 more than 1100 people have been accommodated by the Refuge but, in that period, it has been impossible to accommodate a further 1400. In most of those cases, the Refuge has been full and no space available. In every case, other accommodation has been found.

IWR operates an open door, direct access policy. Users and other services access the Refuge through its 24 hour helpline. This has been in operation since 1992, was one of the first domestic violence lines in the country and receives more than 2500 calls per annum. It is widely recognised in refuge circles for the efficacy of its responsive and flexible scheme. The majority of calls received are self referrals.

IWR also operates Childcare, Outreach, Resettlement and Pet Rescue services. Many of its activities, principally the helpline, rely on the dedication of volunteers. Ex users are represented in the organisation from volunteer through to worker and trustee level.

IWR is funded through IOWC with a Social Services and a Housing Department grant. It accesses Supporting People monies and has grants with the Drug Action Team and the Crime and Disorder Partnership. Many local individuals and organisations also make regular donations of money and goods.