Acknowledgement of the housing sector’s role in ending domestic abuse
For a long time, agencies didn’t always recognise what an important role housing associations could play in helping to tackle domestic abuse. Happily, I’m pleased to say that our relationships with agencies is constantly improving and we are now being seen as an important player in the fight against domestic abuse.
We help by adding additional security measures, making referrals for support for both the victim and their children and moving people to new accommodation in the most serious of cases.
Without housing associations, agencies would struggle to implement these changes. The fact that housing employee’s have far more interaction with people in their day to day lives than other agencies means we are also often able to recognise the signs of domestic abuse in the early stages.
We are always striving to improve our service and expand the ways in which we are able to help people, as well as carrying out the commitments that we have laid out in our domestic abuse policy and procedures. We regularly receive training to broaden our knowledge and understanding of the issue. We’ve recently gone through the process of being re-accredited for our service by the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance.
Our multi-agency work is also expanding and we are now starting to make progress with previously difficult to reach areas where we hold stock.
As Community Safety Officers, we’re dedicated to changing people’s lives for the better. We’re lucky to have the resources and the relationships with other agencies such as police and children’s services to be able to do so. But there is always more we, and other agencies can do.
We need to break the cycle of abuse by taking a preventative approach
One of the most difficult things about my job is the fact that we have very little opportunity to take action against the perpetrators. Without intervention, these people go on to abuse other vulnerable people and the cycle continues.
There needs to be a much stronger focus on preventing abuse from happening, rather than only on how we fix the lives it destroys. While resources are rightfully and willingly poured in to a victim’s recovery, wouldn’t it be great if they never had to experience the abuse in the first place.
Thankfully, there are agencies such as The Hampton Trust who work with perpetrators, running domestic violence prevention programmes to help re-educate them.
White Ribbon Day also focuses on working with men and boys to challenge the male cultures that lead to harassment, abuse and violence. But, there needs to be more of this – a recognition that tackling the root cause is as valuable as the support offered to victims.
Helping victims get out of their situation
It’s difficult knowing that there are many women, men and children out there who are living in fear of their perpetrators but don’t know how to get out of their situation.
The government's introduction of Nicole Jacobs as Domestic Abuse Commissioner was a really positive step in the right direction.
I think trying to get people talking will, in itself, help make the change that is needed. The more this problem is discussed, the more aware people become of what is and isn’t acceptable and what to do if they, or someone they know might be experiencing abuse.
It would also be amazing to see brave survivors feeling safe enough to tell their stories, as I believe this might help victims find the strength to move forward. Unfortunately, this is difficult due to the continued risk people are at so until then, we have a responsibility to shout about what we can do for people and the services, advice and support that is available to them.
Going forward, I would like to see greater awareness raising, better multi-agency working and ultimately, see more people living happier and safer lives.
Community Safety Officer