The Centre Against Abuse has hit back over public concerns about their spending and costs, claiming their expenses are “about half those of the average charity of our size in Bermuda”.

The Royal Gazette revealed last month how the charity had been forced to close its safe house for victims of domestic violence due to a lack of funding, and might have to axe other services.

But concerns have been raised about the Centre’s spending habits after it was revealed on Monday that more than 99 percent of its funds went on salaries, payroll costs and administrative expenses last year.

Financial records show $359,285 of a $413,000 fund went on salaries and payroll costs, with a further $51,961 on office expenses.

The Centre spent $47,000 in running costs for its shelter, including $14,000 in insurance, $8,700 in gas and electricity and $10,000 on a rebuild — ending the year in debt by more than $61,000. Most of the $51,961 bill for office costs, $34,450, was swallowed up by rent.

Last night, the Board of Trustees said the Centre’s four full-time and four part-time employees provided its “essential and free” services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Because CAA staff are professionals in their field of expertise who carry out their services on a 24 hours a day, seven days a week basis, their salaries consume a significant portion of our annual budget.

“The expenses of CAA are about half those of the average charity of our size in Bermuda. Further, because we have worked hard to pare our expenses during the years of economic downturn, because our staff are professionals in their field of expertise, because we own and operate our own safe house and receive many ‘in-kind’ services from our donors, it makes sense that our overall expenses are less, while our greatest expense is salaries.

“Our safe house, which we purchased and opened in 2000, while vital to our community, represents just a portion of the services that we provide.

“CAA offers in-office counselling and rehabilitative services for abusers as well as victims, legal and court advocacy, and 24-hour hotlines. We present awareness and prevention sessions to schools, churches, prisons, youth groups, workmen’s clubs and sports clubs and businesses.

“We also make these services available to the police and to healthcare professionals — those people who are the first responders to these extremely volatile incidences.

“The police receive approximately 75 call-outs each month for domestic disputes — and many of those individuals involved are asked to contact CAA for assistance.

“While CAA is not listed as an essential service, the services we provide are essential in our community — they are offered by individuals who are trained in domestic violence prevention and awareness.”

The Centre thanked Community Minister Wayne Scott for his efforts to assist them — he announced on Monday that a temporary shelter for victims of domestic violence would be opened by Government — but said more financial help was needed.

“While we are grateful to Minister Scott for offering a temporary new shelter, CAA is the owner of a purpose-built safe house free and clear of debt, which is there for the protection of those members of Bermuda’s community who require it,” the spokeswoman said.

“The expense of operating this facility requires a full-time staff member plus backup to oversee and provide the necessary support services to clients.

“The expense of operating this facility during this economically difficult period has led to its temporary closure, not the lack of a facility.

“What is required is some financial help to keep our safe house open while we work towards a viable and sustainable solution to our financial shortfall.

“Centre Against Abuse has been having ongoing informal talks with other like charities for more than a year. Our interest is to decrease our costs, share like services, and maintain the confidentiality of our clients and provide them with the continued support they require.”

Shadow Community Minister Michael Weeks yesterday appealed for more support for the Centre from Government, describing the temporary shelter as a “stopgap”.

“Government’s announcement of a temporary shelter for victims of domestic violence is a stopgap measure that doesn’t address the real issue — the challenges of Bermuda’s most vulnerable,” Mr Weeks said.

“The news of this facility is welcome but the OBA must ensure that it is safe and has adequate resources to do the job it is intended to do.

“The Minister should provide the public with answers to the following questions — will the staffing levels for the previous shelter be maintained?

“Will the same level of security be provided? What is the timeline for establishing a permanent solution?

“Stopgap measures are sometimes a necessity. However, when it comes to the safety of Bermudians, every precaution must be taken.”

The Centre said Governments in other countries contributed much more than the annual $75,000 they received.

“The UK, the US and many other countries, both developed and underdeveloped, have governments which contribute meaningfully towards ending domestic abuse, directly through acts of parliament, policies, mandates, educational and counselling programmes, public awareness campaigns, as well as Government departments which specifically focus on these issues.

“Other governments often provide substantial grants to the charities who work to end domestic abuse. In Bermuda, CAA receives 15 percent of our budget from our Government grant, and we raise more than 85 percent of our funding through fundraisers and donations.”

Generous organisations and residents have come forth to donate to the Centre since its financial plight was revealed and more than 830 people have signed a petition calling for Government to give more funding.

About 35 people took to the roadside at East Broadway yesterday morning to show their support for the Centre.

Bearing signs and T-shirts with the logo ‘Save the Shelter’, the gathering aimed to raise awareness about the charity’s situation.

One of the organisers, Canterbury Law director Juliana Snelling, said there was “lots of honking and waving support from the public and the buses all flashed their lights, which was wonderful”.

“I am personally very relieved that if a domestic abuse victim and their children need somewhere to go tonight or next week with a domestic abuse emergency, they now have a temporary safe house to go to,” she added.

“I thank the Minister and the Government for listening to the public plea and providing that emergency need while longer term solutions are worked out to reopen the CAA’s shelter, so that the persons best trained to deal with domestic abuse emergencies are charged with that care.”

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Centre is urging the community to remember this “serious social ill” leads to others in our community. The charity also thanked those who had assisted them over the years and in recent weeks.

“We are also grateful to those many members of the community who have signed the petition that is circulating asking the Government to allocate funds to support the work that we do towards the fulfillment of our mission,” the Centre said.