Charity aims to buy property to support vulnerable women

Domestic abuse has risen since pandemic

A Plymouth is launching an appeal to raise £615,000 to buy a city centre property to accommodate women affected by trauma and abuse. 

Trevis says domestic abuse have increased since the pandemic, with helpline calls soaring by 80 per cent, murders of women doubling, and hronic poverty increased with women most affected. 

It city centre property, Blossom Women’s House, will house up to nine women with complex needs, providing security where they can take positive steps to recovery from trauma and abuse.   

The charity says there is a shortage of women-only accommodation in Plymouth, meaning women enter "a revolving door in and out of accommodation, restricting their ability even to get a chance to address their trauma and understand how it manifests so that they can move forward in life"

Trevis boss Hannah says: ‘This is Trevi’s biggest appeal to date and will significantly impact the lives of women affected by domestic abuse and violence. As we celebrate our 30th milestone, we couldn’t ask for a better start to what will be an exciting year.

"It’s important that Blossom feels homely and nurturing so that women are supported to heal, grow and thrive. For some women, Blossom will be the first place that they experience what a real home is like."

Tammy has experienced being housed in a mixed accommodation after fleeing domestic abuse and says: "It took me years to leave a violent relationship, and the biggest factor in getting yourself out of a dangerous situation is having somewhere safe to heal from your trauma.

"They put me in a shared house with five other men, there were no locks on the doors, and I genuinely didn’t want to get a bath or a shower. Having a place like Blossom Women’s House as a women-only accommodation will truly saves lives."

Trevi has already raised £405,000,  leaving £210,000 to raise by the end of this year.