Second safe house built is a ‘lifeline’ for abused women

The Independent’s campaign provides safe places for families

- ATHENA STAVROU

The second safe haven built by The Independent’s Brick by Brick campaign for women fleeing domestic abuse has been completed, providing a “lifeline” for families in need.

The purpose-built safe house is now ready for its family to move in, weeks after the keys for the first home were handed over.

The new houses, built by Persimmon Homes, were funded by The Independent’s hugely successful campaign, launched in partnership with leading domestic abuse charity Refuge last September.

When the initial target of £300,000 was reached after just a month of fundraising, The Independent decided to build a second house as more than £585,000 was raised by our generous readers.

The campaign was backed by politicians, royalty and celebrities, including the Queen, Sir Keir Starmer, Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Joanna Lumley, Olivia Colman, Victoria Derbyshire, Andi Oliver, David Morrissey and Sir Patrick Stewart.

The Independent’s editor-in-chief, Geordie Greig, said: “It is brilliant news that The Independent's Brick by Brick campaign now has a second house funded and built for women desperately in need of sanctuary. I feel enormous gratitude to our donors and our charity partner, Refuge.

“This house is a lifeline for abused women. To build a permanent sanctuary makes all of us at The Independent feel great pride and joy that this safe house is available forever, offering rescue and respite to women whose lives are at risk.”

The identical homes are built in a secret location to protect survivors and look exactly the same as those surrounding them, to ensure their occupants don’t feel isolated.