Secret refuge for abuse victims

The refuge has individual flats as well as communal spaces

A new facility to help women and children affected by domestic violence has opened in Glasgow.

It is the first of its kind in Scotland and will offer individual flats and communal facilities including a therapeutic room and creche.

A domestic violence incident is recorded every 11 minutes in Scotland, according to Scottish Women's Aid.

The location of the new refuge is being kept secret to ensure the women and their children feel safe and secure.

Strathclyde Police said it responded to 27,000 reports of domestic abuse last year and investigated 10 related deaths.

Earlier this year the force said domestic violence increased around Old Firm matches.

At least one woman in five in Scotland will experience domestic violence in their lifetime.

For these brave women who pluck up the courage to leave abusive partners, it is vitally important that effective support is available to help them rebuild their lives Alex Neil MSP Communities Minister

As well as offering the victims of abuse private living space the new refuge will also have communal areas where they can benefit from being around others in a similar situation.

The facility has a games room for older children and an outside playground, placed at the back of the building, unseen from the road.

Visiting the refuge to mark the official opening, Minister for Housing and Communities Alex Neil said: "Domestic abuse must not be tolerated in any form.

"For these brave women, many with children, who pluck up the courage to leave abusive partners, it is vitally important that effective support is available to help them rebuild their lives.

"This new facility provides a safe haven and is a home that I hope women and children will find comfortable living in while they get help to get back on their feet."

The facilities for children include a games room and outdoor playground

Jack Kelly from Scottish Women's Aid, who run the £1.8m refuge, said: "Most importantly this refuge gives woman and children the privacy and the kind of security they need to rebuild their lives.

"The privacy is a massive part of this facility, but there are also communal areas and outdoor spaces and these allow peer support where the women can help each other through the process of rebuilding their lives."

She added: "The women were involved in the design of the refuge and met with the architects. They said they wanted to feel safe, so security is a big part of this facility as well."