Six-month 'stay of execution' for refuges in city
A CHARITY that provides safe houses for domestic abuse victims is set to be given "a stay of execution" by having its council contact extended by six months.
Refuge's properties in Derby for South Asian women and children currently house 28 people.
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But a charity spokeswoman has said the refuges could close if the city council goes ahead with plans to cancel the organisation's contract to save cash.
The authority had, at one stage, suggested the contract would be stopped on March 31 but has now proposed to extend it by another six months.
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Cath Roff, the council's strategic director for adults, health and housing, said the authority was "working with affected organisations to devise contingency plans for the potential loss of cash".
Refuge chief executive Sandra Horley said: "We have yet to hear whether Refuge's specialist services, which support women from South Asian backgrounds, will be given a six-month extension.
"At best, this is only a stay of execution and Refuge remains gravely concerned about the vulnerable women and children who use this lifesaving service.
"The council's equality impact assessment alarmingly found that there would be 'possible fatalities' if this service closed."
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