The Cornwall Women’s Refuge Trust (CWRT) is a charity which was founded in 1979 by women from local churches who sought to provide a temporary place of safety for women and children who had/were experiencing domestic violence.

The Trust has developed over the years and still provides a place of safety for women and children in need of escape from domestic abuse.

Cornwall Women’s Refuge Trust provides a safe supportive environment for women and children who have escaped domestic violence.

CWRT offers support and advice, empowering victims and survivors of domestic abuse to create or maintain a safer and happier future. CWRT also works with perpetrators of domestic abuse to help challenge and change their behaviours to protect their families and partners.

Within the refuge and through the domestic violence helpline they can offer emotional support and advice on housing, benefits and the effects of domestic violence within families.

The refuge project workers are all trained to be able to offer emotional support and practical advice to the refuge residents and helpline callers. Each refuge resident will be given a key worker to initially assess their support needs and to develop a support plan with the client. This support plan is reviewed (with the client) and followed throughout the woman’s stay at the refuge. The project workers can also accompany residents to appointments with other agencies.