Domestic Violence
This information is about Shepherds Bush Housing Association's
(SBHA) policy on dealing with, and the services we provide, for
tenants who experience domestic violence.
SBHA defines domestic violence as occurring when a person,
persons or their agents, attempts, threatens or causes actual harm
to another member of the family household. This includes verbal and
emotional abuse and harassment from ex-partners who are no longer
part of the household.
Although the most common domestic violence is carried out by men
against women, it can also occur by woman against men, in same-sex
relationships or between relations.
The Association is committed to providing support and assistance
to tenants who are the victims of domestic violence, as far as
resources and the law will allow.
If you experience domestic violence you can be assured that we
will provide the following support:
- we will interview you in our office, at your own home or at a
third party location, wherever you feel safest, at the latest 48
hours after you report the incident. You are entitled to be
interviewed by an officer who is the same sex as you if you so
wish. Any information you give us will be kept confidential and
only given to third parties with your specific consent
- if there is a serious threat to your safety, health or welfare,
we can help you access short and medium-term housing options
including refuges via the 24-hour National Domestic Violence
Helpline, operated by Women's Aid in partnership with Refuge Crisis
(0808 2000247) or
www.womensaid.org.uk.
Alternatively, victims of domestic violence can make a homelessness
application to their local authority, who have a duty to assist
applicants provided they are eligible for assistance. You can apply
to any local authority if it is unsafe for you to stay in the area
you currently reside in. Should you wish to transfer accommodation,
your application for transfer will be assessed under the
'management transfer' scheme and will be banded accordingly under
the Locata choice based lettings scheme (see
the Transfers page for more information)
- we will advise on a range of support services available from
Shepherd Bush's Domestic Violence service, including details of
safe houses and the Domestic Violence Floating support service. We
will also give you contacts to help you to seek your own legal
advice
- we will identify any damage to your home occasioned by the
violence and requiring repair, and ensure the repair will be
carried out as quickly as possible
- any issues of security will be discussed with you and
arrangements for additional security to be provided to your home,
if required, will be considered
- where there is sufficient evidence SBHA will take action
against perpetrators of domestic violence regardless of whether or
not they are included on your tenancy agreement.
If you are in an SBHA home and have been a victim of
domestic violence, contact us now on 020 8222 7300 to talk to a
member of staff - we are here to help
you.