City Council in talks to aid victims of domestic violence

Exeter City Council is looking at how it can help victims of domestic violence who, the council says, could find themselves homeless when Exeter Women’s Refuge closes in April.

The centre, which has been the home to women who have fled abusive relationships for more than 20 years is due to close in April.

The closure comes as a result of a change in providers for the county’s domestic violence services provider to Wiltshire based charity Splitz which will not continue to fund the refuge.

The refuge’s current residents are now being found alternative accommodation, before the building is emptied and returned to its landlords.

Cllr Hannaford, Lead Councillor for Housing and Customer Access said: "The decision to move support services for victims of domestic violence to a new supplier was made by Devon County Council following a tendering process. Exeter City council was not involved in this.

"However, in response to this, I called a set of emergency meetings with key stakeholders to find out exactly what was going on and how vulnerable people will be looked after and kept safe in the near future. It was important to work out what impact these changes will have for the individuals concerned who are experiencing these serious and traumatic issues and also the possible additional housing and budget pressures for the City Council. "

An action group has been set up to address these issues. The group is made up of Cllr Hannaford, Devon County Councillor Jill Owen, who is the former ADVA Chair, and Exeter City Councillor Moira Macdonald, who is part of the SAFE partnership, plus key and senior officers.

"I have also raised these matters with all those concerned at Devon County Council and Exeter City Council, including the Leaders and Chief Executives of both organisations and the Director of Public Health, and have requested a full and open briefing” continued Cllr Hannaford.

"We are very keen to get a meeting set up with the new providers and owners of the refuge to discuss the way forward, and we would like to reassure anyone who becomes a victim of domestic abuse and comes to us in need of a safe place to stay, that we will find them immediate, temporary accommodation.

“We will then work with the individual or family to help them find longer term, safe accommodation.”

A campaign group to oppose the centre’s closure has already received over 3,342 signatures to a petition in support of retaining the centre.

In a statement the campaigners write: “We are at a loss to understand how DCC could have considered any tender that did not include refuge provision, given the overwhelming evidence that this vital and invaluable resource remains as much needed today as it ever was.”

Speaking about the announced closure earlier this month a spokesman for Devon County Council said: “Their [Splitz’s] decision to close Exeter refuge is part of a long term consideration about replacing it with smaller, more personalised flats for people with domestic abuse issues. 

“The refuge’s landlord has already identified these alternative provisions, and people from the Exeter refuge are currently in the process of moving into them.

“The award of the contract to leading charity Splitz, which already provides domestic abuse and support services in the South West in Bristol, Gloucester and Wiltshire, won complete backing from an independent panel comprising of us, the NHS, the police, a district council representative and a victim of domestic abuse.

“The charity has a lot of experience in working with people to reduce the number of high risk cases where people are forced to flee, and supports people to live independently in homes they’ve chosen, helping prevent housing crisis or homelessness.  They are also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“Splitz is working in this transitionary period before the new contract begins with the current providers to ensure continuity of service for everyone currently receiving support.”

For more information, on how to get help on domestic violence please go to www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk/