Nottinghamshire Women's Aid

Offering Choices, Improving Lives

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Refuge
Confidential Support and Information for Women by Women

What is Domestic Abuse?

Domestic abuse can happen to you in many different ways: physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse. Domestic abuse is most often experienced by women and from someone they know, usually a man. This could be a partner, carer, friend or family member. Domestic abuse can also occur in same sex relationships.

Abuse can take the form of a physical assault such as hitting, punching or hair pulling, sexual abuse or emotional abuse such as threats, isolation, name calling, belittling or financial abuse such as withholding money and other abusive acts.

Women who experience domestic abuse may feel isolated, alone and afraid.

It can be hard to believe that someone you care about can behave in such a way and many women assume that they are to blame for the abuser's behaviour. This is not the case as it is the abuser's behaviour that needs to change. Therefore it is important to accept that you are not to blame and to seek help if you require support.

Domestic violence is more common than people realise. 1 in 3 women experience some form of domestic violence during their lives.

Women experiencing domestic abuse may want help and support to leave the abusive relationship and/or a safe place to stay.

Nottinghamshire Women's Aid Ltd Refuge
The Refuge aims to meet the needs of women and children by offering practical help, support information and guidance.

The Refuge staff are trained specifically to deal with issues affecting women and children escaping domestic abuse. They work in a non-judgemental way to empower women, children and young people to determine their own future and move forward with their lives.

The Refuge staff respond to the needs of women, children and young people by providing regular support sessions to work through their individual experiences.

The Refuge is visited on a regular basis by a Health Visitor and School Nurse.

The Refuge offers supports to children and young people through structured play sessions and one to one support, delivered by specialist children's workers.

Nottinghamshire Women's Aid Ltd also provides Outreach Services to Women and Children moving on from the Refuge into their own accommodation.

What is the Refuge Like?
The Refuge is situated in Bassetlaw and is specifically designed to offer 24 hour safe, emergency accommodation for women, children and young people escaping domestic abuse.

The Refuge has eight bedrooms equipped with beds, television, chair and fridge. Each bedroom has its own key.

There is also use of a communal living room, dining area, large kitchen, bathrooms, shower rooms, quiet/prayer room, playroom, laundry and an outside garden area.

The Refuge is a NO SMOKING building.

The Refuge is protected with high security systems these include panic alarms and CCTV.

We respect the residents rights to privacy and dignity and encourage wherever possible their involvement in the project through regular house meetings.

Nottinghamshire Women's Aid Ltd is a Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in England and Wales number 1822489 and a Registered Charity Number 513843
© nottswa last updated on 10 December 2008