A CAMPAIGN to save the women's refuge in Exeter is gathering momentum with more than 1,300 now pledging their support.
The centre houses women who have fled abusive relationships, giving them a safe place to live while they attempt to escape violent partners.
It has been in Exeter for more than two decades and has been a temporary shelter for hundreds of women during that time.
Charity Stop Abuse for Everyone (SAFE), formerly Exeter Women's Aid, has been told it has lost its core funding from Devon County Council, and the new Wiltshire-based supplier of services will not be providing refuge provision from April.
But a Facebook page that has been set up calling for the facility to be saved has been backed by more than 1,300 people.
The page says that the refuge will close in March unless the campaign can force a change of heart.
One supporter wrote: "I had to live in B&B accommodation with all my younger siblings when I was 17 after my mother fled a domestic violence situation. There should be more refuges, not less."
Another said: "It is a life line to so many and disgusting to even consider closing it."
Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw is also understood to have expressed concern to the group and has written to DCC asking them for an explanation.
Supporters say the Exeter Refuge has had a consistently high occupancy rate of 96 per cent.
According to the Home Office, two women on average are killed by a male partner or former partner every week in the UK – and in 2011/12 three of these women were from Devon.
Doreen Baker, of SAFE, said: "Nationally, regionally and locally domestic violence and abuse services, local authorities, the government, police, agencies and other voluntary organisations have dramatically raised awareness of domestic violence and abuse leading to victims of abuse recognising abuse and where to access support and services.
"This includes being able to flee from abuse to a safe place to live and receive specialist support to enable women and their children to secure a happy future free from abuse.
"Without this provision we fear that there will be an escalation of abuse, an increase in domestic homicides and more children requiring statutory child protection.
"The cost to Devon County Council and the police potentially will be enormous."
She said statistics from Devon and Cornwall Police show that 24 per cent of all reported violent crime in Devon are domestic abuse incidents.
One current resident of the refuge, who asked to be anonymous, said: "It was confirmed to residents that the Women's Refuge in Exeter, which is currently run by SAFE, is to close at the middle of next month.
"There are approximately six to eight vulnerable women who have escaped abusive situations at home and require on-going support to find alternative accommodation who are effectively to be made homeless in a matter of weeks, as a result of the short sighted decision not continue to offer funding to allow the refuge to continue.
"There has been a Women's Refuge in Exeter for over 20 years I am told, and it is a much needed and valued resource.
"It is impossible to believe how the council members have reached a decision not to maintain such an important facility."
