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Refuge, the country’s largest provider of specialist services for women experiencing domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence, has opened a new refuge service in the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames.

At any one time, the service can provide safe accommodation and specialist support to 15 women escaping domestic violence and their children, including five refuge spaces specifically tailored for South Asian women and children.

A refuge is much more than a roof over a woman or child’s head; Refuge-Kingston’s specialist staff will provide residents with the building blocks they need to begin a new life. They help women and children to overcome the physical and emotional impacts of what can be years of violence and abuse and offer individual, tailored support to suit their needs. This might include advice on housing, education, accessing benefits, employment, or immigration, or it might mean helping a woman to achieve better health and wellbeing. Children in the service will also benefit from an expert child support worker.

One of the biggest challenges women face when moving on from refuges is securing housing, particularly in London. This impacts on women’s ability to rebuild their lives following abuse. Therefore, Refuge-Kingston will offer a rent deposit scheme for women who face barriers in accessing housing in the social sector, which will enable them to secure homes once they have exited the service.

The service is funded by the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.