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•Domestic violence is a factor in 1 in 8 of all new cases of homelessness.
 It is not right that victims should have no other choice but to go into temporary accommodation or refuges, which can feel unsettling and cause family upheaval at the worst possible time. That is why I want to see more local authorities provide the option of a Sanctuary Scheme. |
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19 December 2006
A major new drive to help prevent victims of domestic violence from being forced out of their own homes with their families being uprooted and made homeless was announced by Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly today.
She has announced that she wants every local authority in the country to offer Sanctuary Schemes to their residents, as one of a range of options to support women’s choices. Ms Kelly has published new guidance explaining how they can be set-up and is writing to local authorities across the country.
A sanctuary scheme provides a safe room, or sanctuary, within a home fitted with safety measures, including the; installation of alarms; mortice locks; security lights; reinforced door frame; emergency lights; and CCTV. This gives the victim the confidence and security to stay in their own home, if they wish and where the partner no longer lives there.
The addresses with a safe room will be flagged on police computers to ensure a swift response if an incident occurs. The courts can help with non-molestation orders, occupation orders, and transfer of tenancy. This is just part of a comprehensive strategy the Government has in place including a stepping up of prosecutions of perpetrators.
The Sanctuary Scheme is in addition to other services the government already provides for victims of domestic violence including; £32 million investment for refuge beds; increase in number of specialist domestic violence courts; and accommodation for victims made homeless due to fleeing domestic violence.
Domestic violence is a factor in 1 in 8 of all new cases of homelessness – accounting for around 13,000 homeless households a year.
Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly said:
“The Government is determined to do more to prevent victims of domestic violence victims being driven from their own homes as well as stepping up prosecutions of perpetrators.
"Sanctuary Schemes have been proven to prevent homelessness by giving people the security and confidence to stay in their own home, where it's their choice and police experts agree it's a safe option.
"It is not right that victims should have no other choice but to go into temporary accommodation or refuges, which can feel unsettling and cause family upheaval at the worst possible time. That is why I want to see more local authorities provide the option of a Sanctuary Scheme."
Currently less than a third of local authorities (around 120) offer Sanctuary schemes. But where it has been tried, it has proven to be successful with 90 per cent of victims of domestic violence believing sanctuary schemes are a good idea according to an early evaluation of the initiative.
Funding is being provided for prevention schemes like this through £74 million homelessness grant to local authorities for next year.
Ruth Kelly said that for many victims, escaping domestic violence can not only mean having to leave their home but also losing their support network - family, friends, schools, doctors – at a time when they are most vulnerable and need the most support.
She said that as well as better support for victims, the Government is determined to step up prosecution of perpetrators of violence building on a significant increase already in prosecutions.
The new guidance makes clear makes clear Sanctuary schemes should only be provided where it is the clear choice of the victim, where it has been assessed as safe and appropriate for them to remain in their own accommodation, and the perpetrator no longer lives in the home. It also sets out that:
The scheme is available across all tenures (e.g. home ownership, privately rented, social rented).
It is clearly presented as only one of a range of options open to those at risk of homelessness due to domestic violence.
It is implemented in partnership with the police, the fire service and a specialist domestic violence service, with support provided throughout the process.
Arrangements are tailored to meet the needs and circumstances of the individuals involved.
The scheme must be fully integrated with local risk assessment processes.
The scheme, which up to now has only been available in some parts of the country, has been shown to be successful in reducing homelessness because of domestic violence. London local authorities have led the way in providing sanctuary schemes.
In Barnet, 40 sanctuary schemes were set up in 2004/05, leading to a 40 per cent decrease in families in temporary accommodation because of domestic violence.
1. ‘Options for setting up a Sanctuary Scheme’ can be found at; www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1502478.
2.
Statutory homelessness statistics for quarter 3 2006 can be found at; www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1002882&PressNoticeID=2309
3. The Home Office published its National Report for Domestic Violence on 31st March 2005, this can be found at; http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/dv/dv01.htm
4. There has also been real progress across government in tackling domestic violence over the past year. These include creating a further twenty eight specialist domestic violence courts to bring more offenders to justice, opening the first UK Human Trafficking centre in Europe and providing £2 million for advisors to help women through the justice process.
5. Since their introduction of specialist domestic violence courts the number of recorded cases increased 32 per cent from 2004; prosecutions rose from its lowest recorded point of 46 per cent in 2003 to 59 per cent in 2005 – a 13 per cent improvement in two years. The success of domestic violence courts send a message to would be perpetrators that this Government takes these issues seriously – violence against women will not be tolerated and perpetrators will be brought to justice.
6. £32m capital funding is going into refuges between 2003-06 to create new refuge places and renovate existing ones meaning 511 new or upgraded units. Around £59m of revenue funding each year goes on housing based support for victims of Domestic Violence through the Supporting People Fund.
7. We will keep delivering across Government in the year to come, in particular publishing strategies on human trafficking, sexual violence and forced marriages.
Media Enquiries: 020 7944 3049; out of hours 020 7944 5945 Public Enquiries: 020 7944 4400; Email: press@communities.gsi.gov.uk News Releases: www.communities.gov.uk
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