Campaign to save Exeter Refuge

A campaign group has raised concerns over the planned closure of the Exeter Refuge, which provides shelter for victims of domestic abuse, scheduled next month.

The closure is as a result of a decision by Devon County Council’s new Wiltshire based supplier, Splitz, not to provide refuge provision in the future which could see the refuge close in March.

A campaign group has been launched in the wake of the announced closure and is calling on local people to lobby their MPs and local councillors to save the Refuge.

In a statement on the group’s Facebook page they write: “We are at a loss to understand how DCC [Devon County Council] 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.

“The loss of the Refuge in a city the size of Exeter in one of the largest counties in the country is totally unjustifiable and unacceptable.

“Please join our SAVE EXETER REFUGE campaign by spreading this cause to everyone you know and by lobbying your local councillors and county councillors and your local MP”.

Exeter Refuge has been operated by the charity Stop Abuse For Everyone (SAFE), formerly known as Exeter Women’s Aid, for over 37 years and has consistently had very high occupancy in this period.

Exeter Refuge currently provides a 24/7 helpline and a team that offer support to those fleeing domestic abuse. 

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

The new providers, the charity Splitz are currently the leading providers of domestic abuse support in Wiltshire having operated since 1989.

A spokesman for Devon County Council said: “Their 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.”

In a message from the charity shared on the campaign page, Splitz writes: “The new domestic abuse service for Devon starts in April and we are very pleased to be the new provider.

“It is our intention to work in partnership with existing providers in the County.

“We are aware that Exeter refuge is closing and that the current residents are being helped with accessing move on accommodation in the community. It will be part of the job of the new service to ensure those residents who want a support service will receive the assistance they need. This will be looked at on an individual basis.

“Splitz is in the process of establishing a local presence in the area and if all goes to plan, this should be achieved in the next few weeks. We are confident that the new service will continue to be of a very high quality because many of the staff from the existing services are going to be a part of the new service.

“We are very keen that service users should always be able to identify their choices and the job of the new service is to support them in their decision making. The most important thing is, of course, that people who come to the service are helped to stay safe.

“We are hoping to have a launch during the early part of the summer to which you will be very welcome.”

The campaign group hopes that with the support of a public  petition an effort to renew if not retain the current provision will be made.