Inverness Women's Aid corrects misinformation following backlash to refuge 'closure'
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A charity which supports women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse is giving reassurances that its Inverness refuge remains open.
Inverness Women’s Aid has issued a statement after misinformation posted on the Highland Council website last night said the service was no longer available.
The council post – which was later taken down – pointed domestic abuse victims instead towards its emergency accommodation service.
Refuge service in city no longer being provided, says council
Following an immediate outcry from the public, both organisations have issued statements seeking to give reassurances.
In a statement issued on social media, Inverness Women’s Aid said it was aware that stories about changes to its service had appeared on social media, following a press release from Highland Council.
The charity said: "We just want to clarify that our service is indeed undergoing some changes but these are very positive developments which have been planned over a long period.
"We are moving out of our current premises as part of a phased transition to a new model for providing our service. This model will involve having an outreach base and continued support for women to obtain safe and appropriate accommodation within the community.
"The numbers of women and families using our refuge accommodation in the last year has decreased significantly - this new approach will make better use of our already insufficient funding and enable us to continue to meet the real needs of our clients.This is a model similar to ones used by many Women's Aid services across Scotland.
"So be reassured that our service will be continuing into a strong future, empowering women to recover from domestic abuse.
"As we had planned to do, we will be putting out further information about these exciting changes in the next week."
It asked people to share the update in order to correct any misinformation and give reassurance.
In its statement, the council said it had been made aware that Inverness Women’s Aid had taken the decision to change the service including closing the Inverness refuge.
"The council received no prior notice of this decision and so cannot provide any information about the reason for this change of practice," it stated.
"The council’s homelessness service will step in to provide emergency support whilst we try to understand the implications of this decision by Women’s Aid Inverness.
"Highland Council’s housing service can provide emergency accommodation to victims of domestic abuse to offer an immediate place of safety.
"Safe at Home measures can also be provided and these include services such as additional door locks, chains and lighting.
"Advice is offered during the course of the temporary accommodation and housing will work with partner agencies such as Police Scotland to ensure that the household safety is paramount at all times."
Anyone needing help and support, should contact the Homelessness Team on 01349 886691 (evenings or weekends) or 01349 886602 (Monday – Friday daytime hours).
The council understood that Ross-shire Women’s Aid was still providing refuge accommodation in Dingwall.
Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick said: "I understand from statements by Inverness Women's Aid that the statement issued last night by Highland Council was not wholly correct.
"I am relieved to read that Inverness Women's Aid will continue to provide vital support as normal as it moves to a new model of supporting women and families."
