Domestic Abuse Housing Policy Consultation

Overview

Hackney Housing Services and Hackney’s Domestic Abuse Intervention Service (DAIS) have developed the Domestic Abuse Housing Policy.

Safe accommodation plays an important role in reducing the incidence of domestic abuse within our community and in supporting survivors of Domestic Abuse (DA). We know that DA is widespread and underreported. Victim / Survivors (V/S) can face many barriers that prevent them from telling someone about the abuse. One of the main barriers is housing, and we recognise we have a role to play in supporting survivors. We are now seeking further feedback on this draft policy to ensure it aligns with the views and needs of our residents.

To view the draft policy, click here. 

Who has created this policy?

Hackney Housing Services has created this policy in collaboration with Domestic Abuse Intervention Service (DAIS). 

Why do we need this policy? 

Housing Services are well placed to identify DA. Our aim is to contribute to the reduction of harm and preservation of life by focusing on early intervention through a multi-agency response and partnering with specialist DA services.

We also know that our staff may experience domestic abuse and we will support them in accordance with the Council’s Domestic Abuse Policy for Employees, which also outlines our procedures for instances where staff members perpetrate DA.

Who is this policy for? 

This policy applies to secure and introductory tenants, in homes owned by Hackney Council. This includes homes managed by Tenant Management Organisations (TMOs). Where the document refers to ‘The Council’ taking various actions, this includes via its managing agents such as TMOs. 

The policy applies to Hackney Council leaseholders / home owners, noting that some interventions may be tenure specific and where the policy applies specifically to tenants, this will be the term used. 

The policy applies to homeless households living in temporary accommodation that is managed directly by Hackney Council Housing Services. It does NOT apply to homeless households in temporary accommodation owned and managed by other landlords, residents living in housing association homes or in the private sector.

What do we mean by ‘Domestic Abuse’?

This policy adopts the definition of DA in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021:  

Behaviour of a person (“A”) towards another person (“B”) is “domestic abuse” if:

A and B are each aged 16 or over and are personally connected to each other (partners, ex-partners, family members), and the behaviour is abusive.

Behaviour is “abusive” if it consists of any of the following:

• physical or sexual abuse;

• violent or threatening behaviour;

• controlling or coercive behaviour;

• economic abuse;

• psychological, emotional or other abuse; and it does not matter whether the behaviour consists of a single incident or a course of conduct.

“Economic abuse” means any behaviour that has a substantial adverse effect on B’s ability to: acquire, use or maintain money or other property, or obtain goods or services.

For the purposes of this definition A’s behaviour may be behaviour “towards” B despite the fact that it consists of conduct directed at another person (for example, B’s child).

Controlling behaviour is: a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour.

Coercive behaviour is: an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse by a person that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.

The definition of DA also includes other forms of violence and abuse such as female genital mutilation, forced marriage, and so called "honour based" violence, and is clear that victims are not confined to one gender or ethnic group.

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 recognises children as victims of DA whenever they see, hear or experience the effects of the abuse and are related to the victim/survivor or to the perpetrator of domestic abuse.  

What is our approach? 

We take a trauma‑informed, person‑centred approach that prioritises safety, dignity, and choice, ensuring residents are heard, believed, and supported in ways that reflect their individual needs and circumstances. When responding to reports of DA we will:

• treat all individuals with respect, regardless of ethnicity, culture, age, disability, gender identity, religion or belief;

• adopt a holistic, person-centred and non-judgemental approach towards V/S;

• ensure that all disclosures are addressed in a sensitive and effective manner;

• engage with perpetrators, without jeopardising the victim/survivor’s safety, reducing the risk they pose through deterrence, sanctions and provision of services to address their behaviour;

As part of our intervention, we may assess the risk posed to V/S by completing Domestic Abuse, Stalking and ‘Honour’- based abuse (DASH) risk assessment forms. This assessment process will allow us to better support our tenants.

We also recognise that people’s understanding of DA may be influenced by their culture and beliefs and as a result, some people may not recognise themselves as a survivor of abuse. We will work sensitively with those experiencing abuse to promote their safety.

We will continue to work in partnership with safeguarding agencies, domestic abuse specialist services and the wider professional network, to ensure our tenants' needs are properly met.

We will ensure that all our housing employees receive appropriate DA training, including how to spot the signs of abuse, understanding intersectionalities and barriers experienced by some groups, and how to identify and respond to identified risk. 

We will continue to train ‘champions’ who will be located across our housing teams and will be confident in advising both staff and residents on DA issues. We will continue to promote awareness around DA by joining initiatives such as the White Ribbon campaign and by rolling out public facing campaigns, such as the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based violence campaign.

How will this policy affect me? 

The policy sets out how Housing Services will work with V/S of DA, alleged perpetrators of DA and the range of partner organisations also involved in this work.  

What happens now? 

We want to find out if people who live in Hackney’s council-managed homes support this policy, and to ask for their suggestions about how it can be turned into action. We are also seeking the views of professionals and organisations working with people who have experienced Domestic Abuse so we can build stronger partnerships and support our residents better. 

How to get involved 

The consultation will run from 7 September to 1 November. Please complete the survey to share your views. 

If you would like to speak to someone about the draft policy or request a paper copy, email get.involved@hackney.gov.uk

What happens when the consultation closes?

The consultation feedback will be used to produce a final policy, which if approved by Cabinet, will then be published. An action plan - where we set out specific actions and how we will measure our progress - is being developed and will be published alongside the final policy.