Teesside safe house for older domestic abuse victims opens

A safe house geared for older victims of domestic abuse has opened on Teesside.

Operated by Redcar-based Eva Women's Aid, the refuge is thought to be the first such in the UK for those over 45.

It offers temporary housing for up to four women, with trained staff to help them turn their lives around.

The charity, which also has two safe houses for younger women, said the needs of older women were often overlooked.

'Turn lives around'

Chief executive Richinda Taylor said: "Women over 45 have different needs to younger victims, and we have found that when they are housed together, the older women tend to take on a maternal role.

"This can be at the cost of their own personal needs.

"We've worked with women aged 80 and over who've been subjected to violence and psychological control all of their adult lives, and sadly many women believe that there's no way out for them.

"This dedicated safe house, with fully-trained staff on hand, will enable us to help them turn their lives around and break the cycle of abuse."