We have four women running for their lives

Council bosses say there is still emergency accommodation for anyone left homeless, with priority given to the most vulnerable.

However Citizens Advice Carlisle & Eden has expressed concerns, calling for urgent answers on where to direct those in need.

The refuge, in Warwick Square, closes on Thursday.

It follows a decision by owners Impact Housing not to re-tender for the contract to run it following funding changes.

Cumbria County Council insists it has not cut the amount of money it spends on support for domestic violence survivors.

It is instead funding support via Carlisle City Council, which is responsible for housing anyone who is left homeless.

And the city council says beds are available at its Water Street hostel, where appropriate, or at other buildings it has available.

If necessary women can be housed temporarily in a bed and breakfast.

Impact also runs a countywide service called Let Go, which provides support to those in crisis as a result of domestic abuse.

Most of those it helps are able to stay in their own homes, with Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) working alongside the police and other authorities to ensure they are safe.

This includes upping security and taking action against perpetrators.

Andy Auld But Andy Auld, from Citizen’s Advice, says they have yet to be formally notified of the closure or been told where to direct clients.

He adds: “I’m also concerned that whatever temporary accommodation is found it won’t be as safe as the refuge.

“That was a confidential address.”

Kirsty Hopley, a local activist who has launched a campaign to retain a refuge in Carlisle, is also concerned.

But both councils have stressed that they will still deal with referrals – in the city’s case providing housing and and in the county’s case funding support to anyone who is fleeing domestic violence.

A city council spokeswoman says: “Homelessness support and advice is available for anyone that needs our help.

“It is a complex issue and one that requires different support depending on a range of factors.

“We assess each individual/household on a case by case need basis and always offer advice and assistance to the applicant.”

Those made homeless due to domestic violence are classed as priority need.

A county council spokesman adds that it funds housing-related support packages to women made homeless as a result of domestic violence.

“There is no legal requirement for us to do so but we believe it is important.

“We have not cut this funding. We fund other organisations in the county to provide these support packages on our behalf.

“The support packages involve one to one work with individuals to help them with things like personal finance, education or their children.

“The support is intended to help them get back on their feet and living independently.

“In Carlisle we are now providing this funding to Carlisle City Council.

“They will use it to provide additional support, if needed, to women made homeless as a result of domestic violence.

“This is in addition to providing them with appropriate accommodation, which is their statutory duty.”

He adds that funding for IDVAs is also protected.

Mike Muir Mike Muir, of Impact Housing, says that demand for the refuge has dropped significantly in recent years.

He believes this is a positive, as more people are now being supported by its Let Go service to stay in their homes. He says they decided not to re-tender for the county council contract because it was being funded by demand, rather than as a block – meaning they could be left footing the bill if it wasn’t being used.

He adds that the building is old, with communal bathrooms, and needed upgrading to meet modern expectations.

“There was huge demand. We were often full. But a lot has changed. More women are now able to stay in their own homes which is generally a much better solution. About four out of seven of our beds are full at any one time,” he explains.

A lot of those who do use it now come from outside the county, he added, as local demand has dropped.

But Ms Hopley, whose Facebook campaign page now has about 800 supporters, still believes there is a need for a refuge.

Kirsty Hopley

Although the building itself already has another use – as housing for young people going into employment – she remains determined to find an alternative premises and funding.

“They are saying there isn’t as much demand but there’s still been roughly four women using it at any one time,” she says. “For those four women, they are running for their lives. To say that it’s not viable because it’s only four women, it’s almost saying we need a certain amount of domestic violence to be happening.

“Some people want to stay at home but it’s not right for everyone. If there is no refuge there isn’t really a choice.”

For housing and homelessness advice call the city council on 01228 817428 during office hours or Water Street Hostel (for females and families) on 01228 817386 for 24-hour advice.

SARAH'S STORY: I couldn’t look people in the face. I’d stare at the ground

AFTER 14 years in a violent, abusive and controlling relationship, Sarah was terrified at what would happen if she tried to leave.

She had gradually become withdrawn from society, unable to even make eye contact with people in the street, let alone speak out.

The thought had crossed her mind. Lots of times. But she just couldn’t bring herself to say the words – all because of fear.

But eventually, after yet another beating, she hit rock bottom.

Sarah, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, decided she had to get out, for her and her children’s sake.

That was over a year ago and in that time, with the help of the Let Go domestic violence support service, she has turned her life around. She no longer feels like a victim, but a survivor.

The north Cumbrian mum-of-three is now urging others to seek help, and says she is proof that there is a way out.

Sarah, who is now in her mid thirties, explains: “I was in a 14-year relationship that was very abusive. It wasn’t just physical. It was sexual and emotional.

“I had nothing. No friends, no family, no self confidence and no self esteem.”

Her ex-partner drank heavily and would find any excuse to hit her. He’d tell her to get a job, but then if she did he would force her to leave.

She says he turned her friends and family against her and would rarely let her out of his sight.

“When he was drunk it was like walking on egg shells. He would get really drunk and put the children in the car. Rather than letting him go he knew I’d put up a fight. Then I’d get it.

“One time we were supposed to go to a wedding and he fell asleep. He told me to go on my own so I did, but I wish to God I hadn’t. When I got home he battered me,” she remembers.

The problem started after she fell pregnant the first time and gradually worsened. She didn’t realise it was happening, and by the time she did she felt there was no way out.

“It doesn’t happen overnight. You just think it’s normal. He would text me all the time and you think it’s because he loves you, not because he’s checking up on you.

“It’s not until after you get out and get support that you start to realise it wasn’t normal,” she says.

“People say just leave, but it’s not that easy. He said if I left him he’d ring social services and the children would be taken from me.

“It’s not easy when you’ve been in something for 14 years. You believe everything he says. It becomes a vicious circle.

“So many times I’ve wanted to speak out but I couldn’t because he was always there. He would come everywhere with me – taking the kids to school or nursery.

“I couldn’t look people in the face. I’d just stare at the ground.”

Sarah finally reached breaking point after he returned from a five-day bender.

“I reached a very low point. I wasn’t suicidal exactly but I got up one morning and kissed all three children goodbye. I went to the train station. I remember eyeing up the platforms thinking about which one I’d jump off,” she says.

Seeing she needed help, an older woman intervened and talked her out of it, convincing her there was another way out.

“When it finally came to a head it was over a £10 note. It was my last £10 and he wanted it, for drink. I had a child in nappies at the time and I wouldn’t give it to him. He hit me. That was it,” says Sarah.

A neighbour called the police and Sarah seized the opportunity to get help. Suddenly things started to happen.

Through social services she was paired with Pam Simpson, an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA), who helped her escape that violent, controlling relationship for good.

Pam, who works for the Let Go service, run by Impact Housing, explains that they provide full support to those in crisis.

And it doesn’t necessarily mean sending them to a refuge. “Why should anyone have to leave their own home?” she says.

Instead they can take action against perpetrators and allow women to stay in their own homes, with extra security.

In Sarah’s case, she was adamant she didn’t want to go in a refuge.

“I’m still in the same house now. A refuge wouldn’t have worked for me. I didn’t want to uproot my children. It’s so unsettling. It was my house and I was determined to stay there,” she says.

“Someone came out and assessed the safety of my house. I had new security lighting put in, a panic alarm and direct link to the police. There was also a restraining order.”

Pam says there is a red flag system, where police will respond immediately to calls from specific addresses, and they can also set up regular patrols .

Sarah adds: “The school and nursery were all on board, I was given advice about staying safe on social media and my neighbours were keeping an eye out.

“There was one time when he came out of prison and I had to use the alarm three or four times in one night. He ended up back in jail and I’ve had no problems since.”

IDVAs also help with practical support, guiding domestic violence survivors as they regain control of their lives – from sorting out their finances to retaining custody of their children.

Sarah’s ex-partner was jailed for what he’d done. He did try to get in touch a couple of times but ended up being locked up again.

That was over a year ago and she says she’s a different woman.

“My life has changed no end. I’ve got my confidence back, my self- esteem and my friends. There’s still the odd time when I’m going out at night when I might have a moment but I’m not looking over my shoulder now. I’ve come such a long way,” she says.

Pam says everyone’s circumstances are different but there are legal orders they can use to protect victims and different ways they can help them transform their lives.

To contact the Let Go service telephone:
North – 01228 633640
West – 01900 842991/2