We believe that every woman and child experiencing domestic violence has different needs.
There is no single package of services to meet those needs – no ‘one size fits all’.
Refuge offers a range of services which gives women and children access to professional support whatever their situation.
Their national network of services are listed below:
National Domestic Violence HelplineThe Freephone National Domestic Violence Helpline, run in partnership between Refuge and Women’s Aid, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our expert advisers offer confidential, non-judgmental support and information as well as access to specialist domestic violence services across the country.
Refuges
Our refuges provide emergency temporary accommodation for women and children fleeing abuse. They give women time and space to make decisions about their futures and our specialist refuge staff are on hand to provide one-to-one emotional and practical support.
Support in the community
Refuge’s outreach workers support women in their homes or in a safe place within the community. Some may be living with their abuser, whilst others may have left but still need support. Our experts provide one-to-one emotional and practical support, including around safety planning, housing applications and financial empowerment.
Independent advocacy
Our independent domestic, sexual and gender violence advocates provide expert guidance for women at the highest risk of injury and harm of all forms of violence, but particularly to those women who are going through the civil and criminal courts. They offer support, for example, to report to police, to give statements, attend court safely or testify against the perpetrator.
Culturally-specific services
Women from minority ethnic groups may face additional barriers to accessing support due to discrimination, language needs or immigration status, for example. Refuge is committed to breaking down those barriers. Our expert staff speak 44 languages and Refuge provides culturally-specific services for Eastern European, Vietnamese, African, Caribbean and Asian women.
Gender-based violence services
These services act as the first point of contact for any victim of gender-based violence in a particular local area. We provide support for domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking and modern slavery, forced marriage, FGM and so-called ‘honour’-based violence.
‘One stop shop’ services
Refuge offers a number of single point of access services, which act as the first point of contact for any victim of gender-based violence in a specific area. These services operate across entire local authorities and offer a broad range of support.
Child support workers
Refuge employs a team of child support workers in its refuges and community-based services. They provide vital one-to-one and group sessions for the children of our clients, supporting them with homework clubs and play and school holiday activities.
Human trafficking and modern slavery
Refuge supports victims of human trafficking and modern slavery across its national services. Many victims of modern slavery are trafficked into the UK from overseas and many others (including a significant number of British nationals) are trafficked within and across the UK and held in conditions of slavery.