A refuge for victims of domestic violence has been granted enough money to keep it open another year by the national government.

Minerva House was opened by Barnet Homes in 2015 to help shelter people who had suffered domestic abuse at the hands of family and partners.

It was granted £100,000 by the Department of Community and Local Government (DCLG) following an application by Barnet Homes’ housing options team, which will sustain it until March 2018.

Since opening, Minerva House has sheltered 21 woman and 31 children, 77 per cent of whom have since been moved on to suitable, long-term accommodation.

The six-bed refuge is co-run by Barnet Homes with partners including Solace Women’s Aid and funding from Barnet Council.

Mayor of Barnet Cllr David Longstaff said: “Minerva House provides a safe refuge for women and children who are fleeing domestic abuse and are in desperate need of a new start in life.

“I am delighted this additional funding will continue to provide our most vulnerable residents the best support possible at a time in their lives when they need help the most.”

Figures released by the Office of National Statistics in March 2016 revealed in England and Wales, 4.5 million women and 2.2 million men said they had been a victim of domestic abuse since the age of 16.

However, only about 1 in 5 people who had been abused by a partner ever contacted the police.