Free travel for those fleeing domestic abuse
“We need domestic abuse survivors to be aware of the Travel to Refuge scheme to help them reach safety. You can play a vital part by simply helping raise awareness”. Travel to Refuge – Women’s Aid
We would like to remind partners of these national schemes which can be a life line for victims.
Travel to Refuge is an umbrella scheme in which travel companies cover the cost of train or coach tickets for women, men and children escaping domestic abuse travelling to refuge accommodation. It’s made up of two schemes:
Rail to Refuge a joint initiative between Women’s Aid and the Rail Delivery Group, set up in April 2020, providing free rail travel for survivors of abuse.
Road to Refuge a joint initiative between Women’s Aid and National Express, set up in 2023, providing free coach travel for survivors of abuse.
How it works
A survivor reaches out for support from a domestic abuse service which is a member of Women’s Aid Federation of England, Imkaan, Scottish Women’s Aid, Welsh Women’s Aid or Respect Men’s Advice Line. Please note, 22 members of the Women’s Aid Federation provide refuge accommodation for men.
If appropriate, the survivor will be referred to a refuge and will be informed once a refuge vacancy has been confirmed.
The refuge books a free train or coach ticket for the survivor.
The refuge can send the ticket and collection details to the survivor via a mobile phone. The survivor can then either use an e-ticket or text sent to their mobile phone, pick the ticket up from the station using any debit or credit card or the refuge can request the ticket via post and provide to the survivor in person. They can travel like normal, without having to declare the ticket was free or that they are fleeing from domestic abuse.
Although NIDAS is not a service where safe accommodation/refuge can be directly accessed, NIDAS works closely with local services/providers who do provide these services.
As lead service provider of NIDAS, Leeway Domestic Violence and Abuse Services are Women’s Aid affiliated Leeway Domestic Abuse Helpline and Support Services (for a full list of affiliated services can be found here Women’s Aid Directory – Women’s Aid)
We also know, having to leave home to go to safe accommodation is never any one’s first choice, but some may believe this is their only option.
If you know someone who is considering leaving their home/relationship due to domestic abuse, please encourage them to call NIDAS to discuss their situation and the options available to them.
Please remember, leaving is the most dangerous time, so if someone feels there is no other option, NIDAS can support them to leave safely.
NIDAS
Contact the team:
Phone number: 0300 561 0555
Text number: 07860 063464
Out of hours: 0808 2000 247
Email: referrals@nidasnorfolk.co.uk
If in immediate danger, you should always call 999.
Opening hours:
Weekdays: 9am – 6:30pm
Weekends: 9am – 3pm
Or, please visit our website www.nidasnorfolk.co.uk for a wide range of information including:
The Signs of Domestic Abuse
What is Coercive Control?
Keeping safe
Leaving safely
Protecting Paws– including how to access pet fostering for people who need to leave their abuser.
Referrals into the service can be made via the website ‘contact’ page, which includes self and professional referrals. DASH forms are available via the professional referral page.
| Please note any person who is assessed to be at high risk of harm must be referred directly into MARAC – referral form is also on the professional’s page* |
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