Shelter for abuse victims opens

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A new housing scheme offering shelter to women and children who are fleeing domestic abuse will open in Carrickfergus later.

The project cost £900,000 and is the only one of its kind in the East Antrim area.

It is the result of a partnership between BIH Housing Association and The Cithrâh Foundation, a domestic abuse charity.

Aideen D'Arcy from BIH said they had been working on the scheme since 2003.

"It offers women a much-needed place to stay - and is the only one of its kind in the East Antrim area," she said.

Catherine Harper, who founded Cithrâh six years ago, said the shelter would be staffed during the day and evening - with a 24-hour on call facility.

"Domestic abuse often takes place between couples - but can also affect other types of relationships and so involves children, parents, siblings or other adults," she said.

Four of the five apartments in the Carrick scheme have two bedrooms and the fifth is one-bedded with disabled access.

As well as a common room and laundry, staff also have access to an office and a sleepover facility within the building.