In September 2015, Barnet Homes led on and opened a domestic violence and abuse advice service – the domestic violence ‘One Stop Shop’, where victims can access all the advice they need in one place. Three months later, Barnet Homes has led on its first women’s only refuge in Barnet, which opens its doors today.
Minerva House, named after the strong female symbol of Minerva the Roman Goddess of wisdom, will be managed by one of Barnet Homes’ key partners Solace Women’s Aid.
The domestic violence refuge, along with the recently opened advice service, will provide a lifeline to women and their families in the borough.
The opening of the refuge required a lot of work from partners to get the property fit-for-purpose and would not have been possible without Barnet Council’s support in obtaining funding from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
Barnet Homes also wishes to thank the invaluable contribution from its partners Barnet Council, Mears; Benson, Barnet Furniture Centre, Safe Partnership Ltd, Jewish Women’s Aid, Solace Women’s Aid and Armstrong York as well as Barnet Homes’ staff.
Barnet Homes’ Assistant Director, Kate Laffan, said: “I am so proud that shortly after the opening of the domestic violence advice service and its success that Housing Options has been able to open a refuge for victims and their families. This refuge will provide invaluable support for women to move on with their lives without having to return to an abusive partner.”
Seven women a month are killed by their male partners in Britain and many charities and voluntary organisations who support victims of domestic violence confirm the need for support for domestic violence victims peaks during the festive period which can be a time fraught with family tensions, leaving victims desperate for somewhere safe to stay.
Since the domestic violence advice One Stop Shop opened in September, the service has been able to assist 39 clients with advice or referrals to other support services.