Social landlords have failed domestic abuse survivors
New research conducted by Scottish Women’s Aid and the Chartered Institute of Housing have found failings by social landlords on behalf of domestic abuse survivors.
From 2018 to 2019, 42% of landlords signed up to the domestic abuse campaign, Make a Stand, from CIH Scotland. However, this year it has been found they have not complied.
Out of 41 Scottish social landlords who made their domestic abuse policies available, only nine met the good practice guidance from 2019. On top of this, only six of those mention any actions that should be taken against tenants who are perpetrators of domestic abuse.
Callum Chomczuk, national director of CIH Scotland said:
The report also went on to say that a number of landlords place considerable emphasis on victims to report their experience, which Women’s Aid say could put women and children at risk.
It has now also been promised by the Scottish Government that there will be a requirement for all social housing providers to have a robust domestic abuse policy in their upcoming housing bill, which is set to be released in the autumn.
Both the CIH and the SWA have urged that their good practice guidance should be part of the bill. The Scottish Housing Regulator has also been called upon to ensure landlords demonstrate how they have improved housing outcomes for protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
Jo Ozga, housing policy worker at SWA said: “The mandatory policy was what we were asking for, but we are looking for the guidance to be law.
There is no point in having a policy that is not responsive”
“Social landlords are failing to protect women and children and domestic abuse remains the biggest cause of homelessness in Scotland. That has not changed over the years. Women who are approaching housing officers looking for support are not getting what they really are needing.”
“They are not doing the background work and have not got a good policy in place, they do not train staff properly, so women get a poor response when they look for help.”
Scotland’s domestic abuse helpline is available 24/7 for anyone who wants support around domestic abuse: call 0800 027 1234 or visit HERE.
