Is the housing sector doing enough to tackle domestic abuse?

This year’s International Women’s Day called for everyone to ‘Choose to Challenge’. From challenge comes change and this is something we certainly need. Change in how women are perceived, how they are treated and how they are valued.

This day of celebration promoted men and women working together to accelerate gender parity. But if we are to achieve this in the future, we need to be championing women’s agendas every day of the year. And I firmly believe that the housing sector can play a vital role in making this happen. 

Over the years, we’ve made a big impact in bringing issues such as domestic abuse to the fore.  Sadly, this violence is still rife. During the first national lockdown last year, there was a steep rise in the number of cases reported. People were shut at home, often with their perpetrators, without support.

We pride ourselves on building, managing and maintaining the best possible homes that we can but if that home isn’t a safe place, are we really doing our jobs properly? The housing sector has a strong voice and we to need to make it heard by calling for greater action. We should be starting conversations, telling people not to put up with it, and using more resources to support people in their communities who are experiencing abuse.

The fear of homelessness is a huge barrier. What kind of choice is it for women to stay and be abused or leave and face the harrowing experience of losing their home and community? It’s important for us to help break down these barriers and raise awareness of the support women can receive if they reach out for help.

Whilst we’ve come a long way, there is still so much to be done both in the UK and internationally.  The housing sector has a role to play in advocating for women who are most hidden. Those with no recourse to public funds often feel that they have no rights and that no-one will want to help. That’s why the work of organisations such as Stonewater’s South Asian Women’s Refuge (SAWR) is vital.

I believe the housing sector is capable of bringing about a whole system change. The CIH’s Make a Stand campaign has already significantly raised awareness of the role housing can play in response to domestic abuse and violence against women and girls. Now, with cases still increasing, it’s time to challenge society to put a stop to it.

We’ve campaigned for the inclusion of women with no recourse to public funds in the Domestic Abuse Bill and it would be a real step forward if, this time next year, the Bill, with all its amendments, had gone through Parliament.

As housing providers, it’s important that all our policies and practices are intersectional to help remove the barriers faced by women of colour, LGBTQ+ women and women with disabilities. We need to recognise that people from the LGBTQ+ movement are victims too and offer dedicated accommodation and support like Stonewater’s Safe Space. The need for inclusivity has never been greater.

As housing providers, we need to be part of the broader conversation about what kind of a world we want to live in. And we can’t do this on our own. A whole societal shift is required, and this can only be achieved if everyone buys in. Until both genders are truly equal in the world, we need to use any opportunity to magnify how women are disproportionality affected to bring about long-term positive change.

To hear more about how the housing sector can ‘Choose to Challenge’ listen to the latest episode of On the Air: https://on-the-air.simplecast.com/episodes/choose-to-challenge-iwd2021