Here's an example of a secular use of sara.na.m in Pali, taken from
the mahaava.msa:

vijitanagara.m naama sara.natthaaya paavisu.m
(XXV, 19, c,d)

"(they) entered the town Vijita for the sake of protection"

'They' refers to a group of Dami.la-s whose companions have just been
slaughtered, and who take shelter within a walled town.

In a more idiomatic translation, 'took refuge in the town Vijita'
would seem okay to me there.

>The standard English translation is of course "go for refuge", but some
>people are not happy with the word "refuge".

Could you expand on their objections to that word?

best regards,

/Rett