Support will be available to tenants and leaseholders, as well as those in temporary accommodation or experiencing homeless as a result of domestic abuse.
Agreed by the Cabinet last night (10 December 2024), the new Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Girls and Women Policy for Residents aims to improve safety for all those seeking help, whether by supporting victims to access alternative accommodation or stay in their homes if it can be made safe and they wish to do so.
The council is committed to holding perpetrators to account and responding rapidly, ensuring support is always tailored to the needs of the victim including through specialist services and partnership working.
All housing staff, contractors and agents will undergo regular training to respond to disclosure and ensure a proactive and co-ordinated approach.
Cllr Sarah Williams, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, said:
We take a zero-tolerance approach to domestic abuse and the safety of victims is a council priority.
This policy is an important step in making sure victims and survivors get the help they need quickly and can access safe housing as well as ongoing support when they need it. Its adoption once again demonstrates our commitment to transforming our landlord services.
The insights and experiences of our residents, particularly through the Resident Voice Board, have played a key role in shaping the policy, and I want to thank them for their invaluable input.
We want all our residents to feel safe, supported and not alone if they need our help.
The policy was co-produced with tenants and leaseholders as part of the new resident engagement structure, which is overseen by the Resident Voice Board.
It aligns with the council’s far-reaching Housing Improvement Plan which includes a commitment to reviewing housing policies including domestic abuse and violence against women and girls.
Adoption of the policy helps the council meet the government’s Social Housing Regulator’s consumer standards.
