‘The anxieties just lift’: why domestic abuse refuges are turning to female tradespeople

With construction overwhelmingly male, Refuge says tradeswomen help survivors of abuse feel safer

One of the main challenges in maintaining the 64 homes for domestic abuse survivors run by Refuge is the reliance on a male-dominated workforce of electricians, plumbers and decorators.

The presence of men can be distressing and could trigger past traumas for our survivors," said Lisa Cantwell-Hope, the head of property services at the charity. Male contractors need an escort to make our survivors feel more comfortable, and we always put a notice out to all our residents saying there will be a male presence in the building today. So it can be challenging and takes up more time."