A refuge provides emergency accommodation to families who need to escape domestic violence. Each refuge is different but most tend to be confidential addresses that provide a mix of self-contained and communal accommodation. In our refuges families have their own bedrooms and bathrooms but share kitchen and lounge facilities. Our refuges only accommodate women but we can find male victims alternative accommodation and support.
You can stay in a refuge until you get re-housed or for a shorter period if you wish to return home.
Because of the need for safety and confidentiality most refuges have a system of rules that residents agree to when they arrive. These include things like not bringing visitors to the property, keeping the address confidential and so on.
You can take a look inside our refuge in York here.