A safe space away from domestic abuse for women, children and young people has been unveiled.

Nottinghamshire Women’s Aid Ltd said Hickling House is the first women’s centre in Mansfield.

It will offer free opportunities for support, socialising, and education, including group work programmes and one-to-one support for families.

Mandy Green, head of service at Nottinghamshire Women’s Aid, said its new centre in Mansfield would give much-needed additional support.

“There have been many people over the years who have looked into a women’s centre and been unsuccessful,” she added.

“We feel that women and children need to have a safe, welcoming, and empowering space to explore their own personal experiences.”

Hickling House was officially opened on International Women’s Day by Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Caroline Henry and domestic abuse survivor and campaigner Claire Throssell.

Caroline also launched a new strategy being put together in Nottinghamshire to tackle violence against women and girls.

Claire, a Women’s Aid ambassador, has campaigned to improve the rights of children in Family Court decisions on parental contact after her abusive former husband killed their two sons in a house fire in 2014.

Among the guests was Mansfield District Council portfolio holder for Community Safety, Housing and Wellbeing Coun Marion Bradshaw.

“Sadly too many women and children suffer domestic violence and abuse in Mansfield,” she said.

“This new centre will offer a safe space where they can seek help.

“It was very poignant hearing Claire’s speech at the opening and chatting to her afterwards. Her campaign, following her own tragic circumstances, has been inspirational.”

Claire’s sons, Jack, 12, and Paul, 9, were both killed by their father they did not want to see, despite warnings that he was a danger to them.

She has since campaigned to change the law and prevent child contact with perpetrators of domestic abuse, while ensuring children’s voices are heard when decisions are made.

As a result, there has been new guidance for family court judges making rulings about child contact in cases of domestic abuse and government commitment to make the family courts safer for victims.

Claire said she was proud to support the new women’s and children’s centre. “You have the chance to give a life back to every woman who walks through this door,” she told guests. “Hopefully this, like a vaccine, means domestic abuse will be eradicated.

“It starts in places like here, schools, colleges, the workplace. It starts everywhere.

“Without hope we have nothing, and if we have nothing then nothing will ever change.”

Talking to women in Mansfield experiencing abuse, she added: “Come to this centre, be welcomed and take that first step.

“Hopefully it will lead to a better life for you and your children.

“Your abuser thrives off isolation, that is their biggest power. This centre can take that power away.”