Panic rooms for battered women
Published: November 2, 2005
BATTERED women are being built fortress-like “panic rooms” inside their homes to keep them safe.
So far around 25 victims of domestic violence in Islington have had one of the re-inforced safe rooms fitted by security specialists.
If they fear they are about to be assaulted by their partner or ex, they can flee to the room, lock themselves in and then call the police.
The rooms - which cost up to £2,800 each - are fitted with dedicated emergency phone lines connected direct to the police. The solid wooden doors are often strengthened by metal doors and also fireproofed to protect against arson attacks.
The idea comes from the United States, where panic rooms have become popular with the rich and famous since the September 11 terror attacks and because of increasing levels of gun crime.
But Islington Council and the police are using them in a bid to slash domestic violence rates. According to the Islington Domestic Violence Strategy for 2004-06, there are around 3,500 domestic violence incidents in the borough each year accounting for more than a quarter of all reported violent crime. But it is feared the real figure is far higher - experts believe on average a victim will be attacked 35 times by her partner before she goes to police.
PC Ian Lewis, of Islington police’s crime prevention team, said: “The rooms are working very well. They act as somewhere safe within the home where people at risk of domestic violence can retreat to if they feel threatened.”
The so-called Home Shelter Scheme is also designed to reduce the number of women forced to leave their homes to escape a violent partner.
One woman who has had a panic room fitted said: “Me and my daughter feel much safer since ours was put in. It was a huge relief not to have to uproot our lives.”
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