On May 20 2016 MP Mims Davies met with women, children and workers at a refuge in Hampshire which is run by You First, the domestic violence and abuse service of The YOU Trust working across West and North Hampshire.
YOU First Hampshire support women, men and children who have experienced or who are experiencing psychological, physical, sexual, financial, or emotional abuse in their relationships. Domestic violence and abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of age, social background, gender, religion, sexuality or ethnicity. Statistics indicate that 1 in 4 women, 1 in 6 men and 1 in 3 from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities will experience domestic violence and abuse at some point in their lifetime.
Funded by Hampshire County Council the service provides free and discreet support, advice and refuge to victims and survivors of domestic violence and abuse. Last year YOU First worked with over 1,200 people who had experienced domestic violence and abuse in the west of Hampshire and over 200 people came to refuge accommodation. YOU First work in partnership with Home Group who are the landlords of the refuges provided in West Hampshire and supply management support.
MP Mims Davies visited the refuge to understand the work first-hand through meeting workers and domestic violence and abuse survivors.
Commenting on MP Mims Davies visit, the Head of the Domestic Violence and Abuse Department, Tonia Redvers, stated: "It is brilliant that Mims came to visit the refuge, its really important that members of government understand the work we do at a local level. Refuge accommodation is vital for some people who are fleeing domestic violence - it offers a place of safety for both adults and children and gives them time to come to terms with what they have experienced. Refuge is more than crisis accommodation, it gives people the space to stop and think about their future and, when ready, we can keep working together when moving on into the community to live a life free of abuse."
Mims said “I was pleased to have the chance to meet and chat with both staff and some residents during my visit. It is very sad that so many families are displaced from their homes and relatives due to abuse and I recognise that this is an extremely difficult time for them. Refuges play such a vital role in securing new lives for those affected”.
Since visiting the refuge Mims has added “Following on from concerns about access to long term housing for those in refuge, which was discussed with me during the visit, I have raised this straightway in Parliament as well as continuing my focus on the safety of women in the vulnerable position of attending family court proceedings.”
If you are think you are experiencing domestic violence and abuse, please contact YOU First on 0330 016 5112. For emergency assistance, always dial 999 first.