More accommodation required

Press, 29 January 1988, Page 5

More accommodation required

Free short-term accommodation for victims of domestic violence is sought by the Christchurch Women’s Refuge. A refuge spokeswoman said the group’s two safe houses were full with women and their children, and although staff never turned anyone away, they were looking for extra accommodation.

“The refuge had two safe houses including one four-bedroom and one five-bedroom house. Sometimes the houses accommodated up to three or four families in one room, which led to cramped, uncomfortable and stressful living conditions,” she said. Consequently, the refuge would be grateful to

hear from anyone willing to offer free accommodation to women short-term, probably no more than two or three days, while they could start legal proceedings for non-molesta-tion or non-violence orders. The spokeswoman said they were looking for genuine, caring people. Single men offering ac-

commodation would be treated with suspicion. Donations of shampoos, clothes, furniture, crockery, linen,' and fresh vegetables would also be welcome, and could be handed over on the third floor of the Atlantis Building in Cathedral Square.