Issue - meetings

Arising from a report of the Head of Housing and Property Services and a recommendation from the Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group, the PDG had recommended that the adoption of the Housing Service Domestic Abuse Policy be recommended to Council

Arising from a *report of the Head of Housing and Property Services and a recommendation from the Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group, the PDG had recommended that the adoption of the Housing Service Domestic Abuse Policy be recommended to Council.

The Cabinet Member for Housing outlined the contents of the report stating that the new policy contained a section setting out a number of definitions.  It also contained examples of each type of behaviour; for example, physical abuse was defined as slapping, pushing, kicking, punching and stabbing, or other physical assault. This would provide guidance for officers and clarity for service users. 

(Proposed by the Chairman)

Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.

To receive a report from the Housing Services Manager. The Housing Service is required to have policy and procedural commitments relating to domestic abuse and this policy has been drafted to complement the revised draft Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) policy and procedures.

The Group had before it a report * from the Housing Services Manager regarding the need for the Housing Service to have in place policy and procedural commitments relating to domestic abuse. The policy not only provided clarity to tenants reporting domestic abuse but also to officers having to get involved in very stressful and upsetting situations.

A brief discussion took place regarding partnership working and how it is key to the work of the Housing Service when tackling domestic abuse issues. It was explained that victims needed to report the abuse in the first place and permission was needed before disclosure. Sometimes abuse victims may feel that they would not be listened to and previous research had shown that an abuse victim will often suffer many instances of abuse before reporting it. It was a sensitive issue and Officers take care to respond in an appropriate way to any reports of domestic abuse.

Sometimes referrals were received from the Police and on occasions it had been necessary to re-house people well away from the area. Above all, a pragmatic approach was needed whilst working in close partnership with other agencies.

RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that the adoption of the new Domestic Abuse Policy be recommended to Council.

(Proposed by Cllr Mrs G Doe and seconded by Cllr R J Dolley)

Note: * Report previously circulated; copy attached to the signed minutes.