Domestic Abuse

In 2022/23, the rate of referrals to domestic abuse safe accommodation was significantly higher in North Tyneside than in Tyne & Wear, the North East and England. The rate of bedspaces in North Tyneside was significantly lower than the national rate. However, additional bedspaces in dispersed properties have since been acquired.

Per 1,000 population, the borough’s safe accommodation supported around twice as many individuals as both Tyne and Wear and England.

In the same year, 397 individuals were supported at safe accommodation in North Tyneside. The majority were children. Slightly under half were female adults and very few were male adults. Zero trans or non-binary adults were supported at safe accommodation services in the borough.

In 2022/23, North Tyneside’s safe accommodation services supported 153 people from outside the area. This was more than in any other local authority in Tyne & Wear. Local authorities have a statutory duty to provide accommodation-based support to all domestic abuse victims, including those who come from outside their area.

In 2022/23, 33.5% of all individuals supported at safe accommodation in North Tyneside had specialist characteristics. The largest single group had a history of mental health issues.

North Tyneside’s services supported a smaller proportion of disabled individuals than the national average. The proportion of LGBTQ+ individuals supported in North Tyneside was less than half that in England. Zero exoffenders were supported at safe accommodation in the borough compared to 1.6% nationally. Smaller proportions of individuals aged under 25 and 65 and over received support in North Tyneside than in England.

Greater proportions of individuals with drug support needs were supported in North Tyneside (6.6%) than in England (4%). This was also true of individuals with alcohol support needs (6.3% vs. 3.7%).

In 2022/23, 263 households were unable to be supported at safe accommodation services in North Tyneside. The vast majority (87.8%) of these households were unable to be supported due to capacity constraints. The borough’s safe accommodation services were unable to meet the needs of a small percentage (4.2%) of the households which were unable to be supported.

In North Tyneside, domestic abuse safe accommodation services were unable to meet the needs of 11 (4.2%) households. Of these, most (72.7%) were not supported due to unmet drug support needs. Other reasons included family size and mental health support needs.

In 2024, North Tyneside Council commissioned consultants to conduct a Specialist and Supported Housing Needs Assessment. This included an estimation of the need for safe accommodation for people experiencing domestic abuse in the borough. There is an estimated need for an additional 15 units in 2024/25. This is projected to increase to 18 units by 2029/30 and 21 units by 2034/35.