Bristol trials respite rooms to help domestic abuse victims

The city will pilot a 12-month trial offering safe accommodation with intensive support to victims of domestic abuse and violence.

The scheme has been made possible by a grant of £350,000 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which will allow Bristol City Council to work with partners to open a 12-bed ‘Respite Room’.

The project will deliver several weeks of support for up to 100 women with high support needs, including those sleeping rough, who have been in unsafe situations or with histories of domestic violence.

The Respite Room scheme will run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with a female staff, gaining input from city agencies to help with issues such as substance misuse, benefits ad financial independence, immigration, sex working, mental health, forced marriage, and sexual violence, as well as providing ongoing community support.

The project is part of a wider national Respite Rooms Trial Programme, first announced by the Chancellor in the Budget earlier this year, which will create a total of 140 bed spaces across England and support an estimated 1,100 people over the 12-month trial period.

Cllr Asher Craig, deputy mayor and Bristol City Council cabinet member for equalities, communities and public health, said: ‘This additional resource will increase much needed safe house provision for those with complex needs, particularly for those who need a need a greater level of support. The last year has led to not only an increase in the reporting of domestic abuse, but also an increase in the complexity of cases and, in some cases, they need more care and support than traditional services can offer.

‘We wanted to take part in this programme because we believe it will enable us – and the dedicated partners who share our determination to tackle domestic and gender-based violence – to work closely with a number of these women, offering them a higher level of intensive support whilst being safely accommodated.

‘This will complement the work of Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) who have been funded by the Ministry of Justice and will be working around specific specialist areas such as drug and alcohol misuse, minorities and young people.’

The project is expected to get under way in October, following a successful bid led by the Council’s Public Health and Housing Options teams.

Among the partner organisations involved in setting up the facility will be homelessness and domestic abuse support organisations St Mungo’s and Next Link.

In related news, victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence in West Yorkshire are expected to receive enhanced levels of support following an over £2m funding boost.

Photo by Eric Ward