The role of Housing Services
Domestic abuse is still a largely hidden crime and happens in all communities, regardless of gender, age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity. As a housing provider we are well placed through our contact with our tenants to recognise the signs of domestic abuse.
North Tyneside Council will not tolerate domestic abuse. If a council tenant carries out or threatens to carry out any act of domestic abuse the council will take action against the tenant. If a council tenant reports abuse to the council they will be treated in a sympathetic, supportive and non judgemental way.
We also recognise that our staff may be experiencing domestic abuse and are committed to supporting them in accordance with North Tyneside Council’s Employee Domestic Abuse Policy.
This Policy is separate to the Environment Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour Policy.
6.1 Disclosure of domestic abuse
North Tyneside Council recognises that survivors will often find it extremely difficult to make a disclosure and ask for help. It is vitally important therefore that if a disclosure is made, it will be taken seriously and dealt with in a sensitive and supportive manner.
Housing Services Domestic Abuse Procedures provide clear guidance to staff to follow if a disclosure is made or a member of staff suspects a person could be a victim of domestic abuse, see appendix 3.
6.2 Housing Advice (Homelessness) and Homefinder Services
As a landlord and also the provider of homelessness support, housing advice and letting of council homes the Council fulfils a wide range of roles to support domestic abuse survivors and deal with perpetrators.
The Council will endeavour to meet the aims within the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 to support survivors of domestic abuse in social housing:
- Support tenants to remain safely in their home when they choose to stay, once the perpetrator has left;
- Remove the fear of survivors losing their secure tenancies should they flee their homes by offering further lifetime- tenancies to lifetime social tenants;
- Assist tenants to leave their abusive situation if they wish to do so and help them build a new life for themselves and their families in safety and security;
- Improve access to social housing for survivors of domestic abuse who are in refuges or other forms of safe temporary accommodation;
6.2.2 Sanctuary Scheme
The Sanctuary Scheme is a multi- agency, victim centred initiative which aims to enable households at risk of violence remain in their own homes and reduce the risk of repeat victimisation through the provision of enhanced security measures and support. Examples of additional security measure and repairs could include:
- Locks to doors and windows;
- Door chain;
- Letter box jammer;
- Dusk till dawn lights (comes on at dusk and stays on until dawn);
- Door viewer; and
- Personal attack alarms.
6.2.3 Temporary Accommodation
If a person cannot return to their home and has no other place of safety to go to the council will as a first seek refuge accommodation.
6.2.4 Use of tools and powers
Every case of domestic abuse will be assessed on its own circumstances, taking into account the wishes and needs of the survivor, the severity of the abuse and any additional criminality.
We will make use of the appropriate tools and powers to sanction and support survivors of domestic abuse including injunctions, Notice of Seeking Possession, and possession proceedings.
6.2.5 Tenancy agreement
Domestic abuse is a clear breach of the Tenancy Agreement which states:
Section 10.1 Anti-Social and criminal behaviour
10.1.4 You must not harass, threaten to harass, use or threaten violence or discriminate against anyone because of their age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation and you must not encourage or allow anyone to do so
10.1.5 You must not use any words or take any other actions to humiliate, ridicule, embarrass, intimidate, frighten, distress or threaten anyone
10.1.6 You must not carry out acts of domestic abuse against your partner or anyone else living in your home, visiting or working in the area. Your tenancy agreement will be at risk if you threaten or carry out any acts of domestic abuse
10.1.7 You must not allow your home to be used for any activity that is criminal, illegal, immoral, dangerous or offensive