It will be based in St Austell but will offer a home to families from North Cornwall, Caradon and Restormel district council areas.

Figures show 25% of all violent crimes in the South West are related to domestic violence.

At the moment, Cornwall only has two refuges - one in Penzance and another in Truro.

Now the Devon and Cornwall Housing Association is opening a new refuge at St Austell in August.

It will have enough space for eight families, and a self contained flat so teenage boys, who are not usually welcome at refuges, will be able to stay with their mothers.

The money for the refuge is coming from the Housing Corporation, a public organisation which funds and regulates housing associations.