No funding for safe house

Avril Borias opened her home to vulnerable girls where she would shelter and feed them.

She said that the agreement between Social Development and herself was that she would house the girls for a maximum of three days and she would be funded.

“Since I took in girls, I have never received anything from the department.

“I’ve been supporting the girls who stay here,” Borias said.

She said that girls stay for longer than three days, the most recent girl stayed for three months.

“It’s tough to support them because I have to support my own family and I don’t get any funding,” Borias said.

Vulnerable girls under 18 who come from abusive or drug infested homes are taken to Borias until a place of safety is found for them.

Social workers are to meet regularly with the girls.

“Sometimes they bring girls at 1am and I can’t chase them away because they won’t have a place to go to.

“Social workers have only came to see the last girl, who stayed here for three months, twice,” Borias said.

She said she receives no feedback from the department except that she should complete a form for funding, which she has done.

Borias said she accepts girls in her house because she wants to help but it is becoming a problem.

After numerous attempts to get comment from the Department of Social Development, none has been received.

Borias has since closed her doors to vulnerable girls.