Calls for more action to improve housing outcomes for victims of domestic abuse

A NEW report has made recommendations that landlords use a “human rights approach” to improve housing outcomes for women and children experiencing domestic abuse.

The report, commissioned by the Scottish Government claims to seek to change the way councils and housing associations support victims of domestic abuse.

The report and review group was co-chaired by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Scotland and Scottish Women’s Aid (SWA).

The report also asks the Government to prioritise the passing of the Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Bill before the election next year to ensure social landlords can take immediate steps to remove perpetrators from a tenancy.

It further recommends that in the next Parliamentary term, the Scottish Government incorporate all elements of the right to adequate housing within Scots law.

The report says despite the publication in 2019 of domestic abuse good practice guidance for social landlords, only a minority of social landlords have implemented this guidance or developed a domestic abuse policy.

The recommendations call for all local authorities and housing associations to have a domestic abuse policy in place and for regulatory changes so social landlords can be held to account if they do not safeguard the housing rights of victims of domestic abuse.

Jo Ozga, policy officer at Scottish Women’s Aid and co-chair of the report and review group, said: “The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted a ‘shadow pandemic’ of domestic abuse.

“Lockdown measures have enabled perpetrators to enforce control, and highlighted that, even in normal circumstances, many women and children do not feel safe or secure at home.

“The report recommends a combination of systemic change, legislation and actions to prevent homelessness for victim-survivors of domestic abuse that will make a fundamental difference to improving not only the housing outcomes for women and children in Scotland but also their health and wellbeing.”

Statistics show domestic abuse is the main cause of women’s homelessness in Scotland and as such the report makes recommendations to both prevent homelessness and to make leaving an abusive partner easier and safer for women.

This includes ensuring women’s rights to remain in their own home are protected.

Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning Kevin Stewart MSP, said: “I welcome this report, commissioned by the Scottish Government, which marks a huge step in recognising and addressing the impact domestic abuse has on women’s homelessness.

“I’d like to thank the working group for the hard work that went into it.

“It is shocking that people are at risk of harm from those they live with, yet we know domestic abuse is the most common reason for women making a homelessness application and we must support them.

“Crucially, measures in the Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Bill provide the police and courts with new powers to protect people experiencing domestic abuse and give social landlords greater control over ending or transferring tenancies to keep women and children safe.

“The Scottish Government looks forward to working together with social housing providers to implement the report’s findings and ensuring victims of domestic abuse have a safe and secure place to live, where they can access the support they need.”

Callum Chomczuk, national director of CIH Scotland and co- chair of the report and review group, said:   “Our thanks to the experts on the review group across the housing, equalities and legal sector that contributed to the report and I hope the recommendations are recognised as clear practical steps to ensure  the human rights of victim-survivors are prioritised by social landlords.”