Equality North East

Middlesbrough College Helps Those Fleeing Domestic Abuse

Women and children fleeing domestic abuse have received help from staff and students at Middlesbrough College.

A mountain of toiletries is making its way to the Harbour Middlesbrough Refuge, where the team provides a sanctuary for women needing a safe place to stay after escaping an abusive partner.

Middlesbrough College decided to provide practical support to the centre to mark International Women�s Day.

Lecturer Paula Bednarz-Withers and Cath Cooke, Head of Business Development Health and Care, sounded a rally cry at the College and staff and students responded.

A mountain of toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo, gift sets and cosmetics poured in.

Lesley Gibson, Chief Executive Office at Harbour Middlesbrough Refuge, said:

�The donation from Middlesbrough College is extremely welcome. �Often when women flee an abusive partner, they � and their children - arrive at the centre with just the clothes they are wearing.

�We give every woman who arrives a welcome pack and we include everyday essential things that the rest of us take for granted like toiletries, underwear, a toothbrush.

�Donations like this let the women know they are not isolated, that somebody cares and that the community is willing to support them.�

The Harbour Middlesbrough Refuge provides 15 accommodation units for women and children, ranging in size from one-bedroom to three-bedroomed flats.

The centre also has an emergency unit which has proved a lifeline on many occasions for women arriving in the middle of the night.

Staff also provide advice and support to men who are suffering at the hands of a violent partner, provide outreach support to women who remain in abusive relationships and work with perpetrator groups.

Middlesbrough College Helps Those Fleeing Domestic Abuse

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