Victims of domestic violence have better route out of abuse thanks to housing initiative, says Yorkshire report

An initiative run by the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) has improved the level of support given to domestic abuse victims by staff, and could save the economy billions of pounds every year, a new report by the University of York says.

The accreditation scheme run by the DAHA ensures that staff working for social housing organisations are better trained and more confident in being able to detect early signs of domestic abuse.

Lead for the report Dr Joanne Bretherton, from the university, said the report was launched due to "longstanding issues" with the inadequacy of the response to domestic abuse across society.

"Abuse goes undetected and existing systems are often overwhelmed," she said. "The distress, misery and trauma caused by domestic abuse exists at an enormous scale."

Results also showed emotional support was seen as one of the most important elements of the help provided by services, although the practical aspects of support, such as help moving home when necessary, were also highlighted.

Dr Bretherton, who works for the Department of Social Policy and Social Work, added: "By detecting and responding to domestic abuse more quickly and effectively, identifying signs earlier and taking actions that improve safety and housing outcomes for survivors, including their children.

"DAHA accreditation is designed to deliver multiple benefits to health and wellbeing."

Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with survivors of abuse and staff at two housing organisations in London and the north east between 2018 and 2020.

The report concluded that the DAHA accreditation appeared to generate a sense of confidence at multiple levels. For women experiencing domestic abuse, the scheme gave them the emotional and practical support they needed and brought a sense of greater self-confidence.

While for the housing providers, there was a sense that the scheme created a clear and coherent strategy and that a proper response to domestic abuse was in place.

Individual staff also felt clearer about what to look for in relation to domestic abuse and that there were clear systems that they knew how to use when they found it.

Researchers said that the scheme could help reduce the high financial costs of domestic violence by reducing long-term and repeated homelessness and the wider harm caused by domestic abuse.

It is estimated that the social and economic cost for victims of domestic abuse, including the impacts of physical and mental trauma on people experiencing domestic abuse, is £66bn per year, according to government figures.

DAHA is a partnership founded in 2014 between three agencies, including two housing providers Gentoo Group and Peabody and a domestic abuse service Standing Together Against Domestic Violence(STADV).

The DAHA Accreditation scheme is currently being used by 20 housing providers.

Findings from the new report:

- Women who had experienced domestic abuse reported feeling safe and supported once they were using the services.

- The levels of support exceeded what several women expected to be available to someone experiencing domestic abuse.

- The scheme also helped reduce associated housing management issues, such as rent arrears, eviction, nuisance and homelessness triggered by domestic abuse.

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