Government help to victims of domestic abuse 'inadequate'

Catholic charities in the UK have highlighted the lack of emphasis on women's refuges in new Government plans to help victims of domestic abuse to find social housing.

In a submission from Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) to a Government consultation on advising local authority housing options teams to prioritise victims of domestic abuse, charities working with vulnerable women welcomed the intentions of the proposals but warned that providing social housing is "not an inadequate response to the reduction in funding for refuges for victims. The role of the refuge for victims is vital and the language and aims of these proposals risk minimising the significance of the refuge."

Councils have reduced their spending on refuges by 24% since 2010 (1), and one in four referrals to refuge services in 2015/16 were declined due to lack of capacity (2).

CSAN also warned that implementing the proposed guidance will be extremely difficult for local authorities, due to housing shortages and funding pressures, and prioritising one vulnerable group could lead to the de-prioritisation of others in need without the adequate provision of the necessary resources.

The full submission can be read on CSAN website: www.csan.org.uk

Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) is the domestic social action agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. CSAN comprises over 40 Catholic charities and dioceses which work across England and Wales supporting those living in poverty, homeless people, disabled people, travellers, migrants, refugees, prisoners and other marginalised groups.

For details on the consultation, see Department for Communities and Local Government, 'Improving access to social housing for victims of domestic abuse': www.gov.uk/government/consultations/improving-access-to-social-housing-for-victims-of-domestic-abuse