Housing Options
Losing your home because of domestic violence and abuse can impact on all aspects of your life. The Dorset Domestic Violence Strategic Group is committed to measures which assist victims to stay in their homes if they choose to do so or to enable them to move.
Advice on Housing Options
Dorset's Borough and District Councils undertake work to prevent homelessness due to domestic violence and abuse, including providing target hardening and sanctuary schemes where these are appropriate. Information about the
Purbeck and North Dorset Sanctuary Scheme (pdf, 110kb) (opens in a new window) 
can be found on the attached leaflet. If you need advice on your housing options or want to know what can be done to enable you to stay in your own home, please contact your Housing Department or Housing Advice Centre.
Homeless Prevention Service
First Point is a Dorset wide homeless prevention service which can also support victims of domestic violence and abuse. First Point can be contacted on 0845 3106 843.
Refuges
Refuges provide a place of safety for women, and their children, who need to leave home because of domestic violence and abuse. There are two women's refuges located in Dorset and women needing refuge accommodation can also access refuges in Bournemouth and Poole and elsewhere in the country. The Poole refuge also offers accommodation for male victims.
Contact details for refuges and for other local and national organisations which can provide help and advice to victims of domestic violence and abuse can be found in where to get help.
