New purpose-built refuge will not open until 2027

The new centre will be open by March 2027

A new refuge for women who are at risk from or experiencing domestic abuse will be purpose-built, rather than taking over an existing premises.

Guernsey States said this meant the opening would not happen until March 2027, having previously said it would open before May 2025 when the political term ends.

The new facility was required as demand for spaces outgrew the existing refuge.

Home Affairs President Deputy Rob Prow said: "Everything takes funds, so you have to secure the funding and all these things have to properly planned, and we wanted to come up with a really good refuge option".

Communal spaces

Deputy Susan Aldwell, domestic abuse and sexual violence lead for the States, said: "What we thought was we could find a property to meet our needs.

"Lots of properties were looked at, but there wasn't one, when we thought that we were going to move into one soon... that just isn't the case and we realised we would have to build one."

The new building is in the planning stage with funding coming from the seize asset fund, meaning it will not come from the tax payer.

It will have more communal spaces fit for family use and each room will have an ensuite bathroom.

It will also have more parking spaces and rooms for meetings with support workers.

'Best thing I've ever been involved in'

The new site would allow all staff to be on one site, to the benefit of the service.

Fiona Naftel, chair of domestic abuse charity Safer said: "I think it's probably one of the best things I've ever been involved in.

"It's going to change the face of the work we do in the community, it's going to give us a better and bigger premises.

With the new facility not opening for another two years, the charity said it will continue to find accommodation for all victims of domestic abuse.

"It may not be in the current refuge, it may be somewhere else but you can get help now", Ms Naftel said.