Housing Plus Group make a stand against domestic abuse

Every year, the United Nations encourages organisations across the world to unite to end gender-based violence. 

It is estimated that 1 in 5 adults in the UK experience domestic abuse during their lifetime*. At Housing Plus Group, we are part of the national ‘Make a Stand’ campaign to support both customers and colleagues who are experiencing domestic abuse.  

By taking this pledge, we made four commitments to support people living or working in social housing who are experiencing domestic abuse. 

For colleagues, this means that we have a team of domestic abuse confidants who have all received specialist training and volunteer alongside their usual job roles. They offer initial, confidential help to those who have experienced – or are currently experiencing – domestic abuse through non-judgemental listening, guidance and signposting. 

For customers, this means that we have a Domestic Abuse policy which sets out the specific help for those experiencing any type of domestic abuse – including physical, coercive, emotional, economic and more.   

We also share domestic abuse support services with both customers and colleagues. 

Kevin Davies, Head of neighbourhoods and Make a stand champion, said “We’re proud to be part of The Make a Stand campaign – a pledge that was developed by the Chartered Institute of Housing in partnership with Women’s Aid and the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA)”. 

Karlene Harwood, Head of people, said “We always take all reports of domestic abuse very seriously. Our zero-tolerance approach means that we will always support victims and treat every report as an emergency, responding within 1 working day.  

The 16 days of action campaign is a great, annual opportunity for us to raise even more awareness about the support we offer to both our colleagues and customers, all year round.” 

*source – https://www.ncdv.org.uk/domestic-abuse-statistics-uk/