Violence against women and girls continues to be a pervasive problem worldwide. To raise awareness, Monday 25 November is International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
At Hightown, we want our customers to be able to live safely and happily in their homes and as a housing association, we are uniquely placed to identify domestic abuse and provide support.
We have a domestic abuse lead housing officer who is trained in multiple aspects of domestic abuse and provides guidance for staff, as well as being a domestic abuse champion for the entire organisation.
Through specialist training, our housing officers and tenancy support team have also developed their expertise in working with victims and in 2023/24 supported 49 domestic abuse cases affecting tenants.
Last year, we also let 57 properties to households who were homeless because of domestic abuse, accounting for 14% of all our lets to homeless households.
Jen's Story
Jen* became homeless after suffering severe abuse from her ex-partner and needed to move out of the area she had lived in for many years to ensure her safety. Following stays in temporary accommodation, Jen moved into her permanent home with Hightown in the summer of 2024. Moving into permanent accommodation in a new location was a massive change for Jen and she understandably questioned whether she had done the right thing, but Jen says:
"Hightown worked with me to give me exactly what I needed, a small place I can call home, feel safe and still be close enough to my family."
As a result of her experiences, Jen now struggles to use the internet or complete forms. The support provided by her Tenancy Sustainment Officer has meant they were able to work together to settle Jen into her new surroundings. This included referrals to local mental health services and counselling sessions. Jen was also supported in setting up her new utility providers including emergency assistance one evening when she found herself without power, not realising she was using a pre-paid system. Hightown was able to organise emergency credit through the supplier to ensure she was not left without electricity.
Jen says:
"I can't thank my Tenancy Sustainment Officer enough. She has gone above and beyond and everything she said she would do she has done, she has never let me down. This has helped me meet new people and make connections with other women who have experienced similar situations."
Coming from a background of homelessness and domestic abuse can often mean you are starting over. This was certainly the case for Jen, who, on moving into her new home had very little. Hightown was able to support Jen with a grant for moving costs as well as vouchers to furnish her home. Sometimes, Hightown is in the fortunate position to be donated furniture; on this occasion, the association was able to gift Jen a few household items, including a bed and mattress, so she could make her property feel like a home.
When asked what her hopes for the future were, Jen says:
"I just want to be safe, have peace and be a good mum to my kids. Hightown has given me a fresh start and helped me to rebuild my life."
*Name has been changed to protect identity.
