Impact of Housing-related Policies on Women Fleeing Domestic Violence

This report provides a critical evaluation of the impact of housing-related policies, strategies, and interventions on the health and wellbeing of women fleeing domestic violence, with a specific focus on Bexley Council. It begins with an introduction that highlights the prevalence of domestic violence in the UK and the challenges faced by victims, including the complexities of reporting and seeking help. The discussion section explores various types of domestic violence, including physical, sexual, and economic abuse, and examines the reasons why women may remain in abusive relationships. The report emphasizes the importance of understanding the signs of abusive behavior and the available resources for help, such as police, social services, and women's rights organizations. It then delves into housing policies and their role in addressing domestic violence, emphasizing the need for shelters, crisis centers, and hotlines to provide immediate support. The report also highlights the importance of reintegration measures, such as economic independence and access to social housing, to help victims rebuild their lives. The report underscores the global scale of domestic violence and the effectiveness of humanitarian actions that prioritize the protection and rights of victims. The report is a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of domestic violence and the critical role of housing policies in supporting women's safety and wellbeing. This report is available on Desklib, a platform for providing past papers and solved assignments for students.

Running Head: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
A Critical Evaluation of the Impact of Housing-related Policies, Strategies and
Interventions on the Health and Wellbeing of Women Fleeing Domestic Violence focusing on
Bexley Council
[Name of the Student]
[Student ID number]
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Domestic Violence 2
Table of Contents

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A Critical Evaluation of the Impact of Housing-related Policies, Strategies and
Interventions on the Health and Wellbeing of Women Fleeing Domestic Violence focusing on
Bexley Council
Introduction
Every week in the UK, two women are killed by their husbands, ex-spouses or
partners. According to the Ministry of the Interior, 1.2 million women reported domestic
violence last year, with two out of three not the first. But in fact, there are much more of
them. According to a study by the local organization Council for Citizens, more than half a
million victims of domestic violence prefer not to report their misfortune, as they are
extremely frightened.
Terrifying statistics are aggravated by another problem: a woman who announced that
her husband beats her must divorce him, otherwise in the future her children may be taken
away by the guardianship authorities.
According to the Guardian newspaper, victims of violence are increasingly hearing this
from social workers. As a result, if a wife is not ready to leave her beating spouse, she
deliberately hides her problems from others. In addition, according to the British family rights
group, as a result of the recent reform of the social security system, many families have lost
the opportunity to seek qualified help. It has become more difficult for victims of violence to
obtain temporary shelter and security guarantees from the state, as well as treatment for
perpetrators.
Increasingly, it happens that help comes only when the situation goes too far, and the
intervention of emergency services is required. Community organizations and foundations

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come to the aid of victims of domestic violence. In Britain there are "hot lines" not only for
women and children, but also for men who have suffered from domestic violence, there are
services that deal with similar cases in same-sex unions.
Experts consider this to be an important issue, as domestic violence is rarely limited to
a single incident. But at the end of last year it became known that the British Parliament is
going to change the criminal law so that domestic violence becomes a separate category of
crimes with punishment up to 14 years in prison.
The British police will be able to track the behavior of a domestic tyrant after the first
recorded incident, as well as introduce measures to protect the victim from his
attacks. According to British media reports, the law is expected to receive broad support in
parliament and be passed.
Discussion
In the UK, the National Domestic Abuse helpline has seen a 25% increase in web calls
and reports since lockdown began. This translates to hundreds of more calls last week compared
to previous weeks, reports to the BBC the association which manages this line. The number
of visitors to the association's site has also increased significantly, with 150% more visits
compared to the last week of February.
Domestic Violence Against Women
Many believe that domestic violence against women and children is related to physical
abuse, that is, beatings. However, the concept of domestic violence is much broader and does not
necessarily consist only of beatings and scandals. People around you may not even notice that

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violence is taking place in the family. As psychologists note, domestic violence against children
and women is any kind of negative impact on a weak family member. And this is especially true
for children who suffer from such an impact on the part of both mother and father. There are
several types of domestic violence.
Physical violence is the most common type of violence, which is characterized by direct
impact on the human body, that is, beatings, in some cases causing harm to health. The female
sex suffers from male dominance and aggression, and this phenomenon occurs in many
cultures. Moreover, this is considered normal for a society in which such things happen. In most
cases, women themselves - victims of beatings - do not even think about fighting domestic
violence. The reasons for the patience of violence are unwillingness to lose a husband, and with
it the social status, unwillingness to raise children without a father, financial dependence on a
spouse and many others.
Physical violence in the family
This is the most common type of violence, which is characterized by direct impact on the
human body, that is, beatings, in some cases causing harm to health. The female sex suffers from
male dominance and aggression, and this phenomenon occurs in many cultures. Moreover, this is
considered normal for a society in which such things happen. In most cases, women themselves -
victims of beatings - do not even think about fighting domestic violence. The reasons for the
patience of violence are unwillingness to lose a husband, and with it the social status,
unwillingness to raise children without a father, financial dependence on a spouse and many
others.
Domestic violence against women of a sexual nature is also widespread in our
society. This type of domestic violence includes compulsion to sex, to its perverted forms, rape,

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i.e. sexual humiliation. This phenomenon occurs in families in which a man, for some reason,
becomes a weak link and wants to prove the opposite. This is especially true of those weak men,
whose wives have become more successful than them. The feeling of inadequacy annoys the
man, and he tries to recoup his wife's feelings, humiliating her with illegal actions of a sexual
nature.
There is also economic violence in the family, which is expressed in extortion of money,
in the prohibition to go to work, in hiding financial income, etc.
Reflection
As a rule, a man begins to act unlawfully against his wife not immediately after marriage,
but after a certain time. Therefore, a woman has time to recognize in her spouse a despotic
attitude and the ability to abuse loved ones. There are a number of signs by which you can
determine this:
 dismissive attitude;
 insults and humiliation ;
 any threats;
 rude ridicule;
What to do when domestic violence occurs? First of all, you need to understand that there
should not be domestic violence, and it does not matter at all whether you yourself are to blame
or not. Every person should have a sense of their own worth! It is necessary to part with the
person whose victim of violence you have become, because statistics show that it is almost
impossible to re-educate a tyrant man.

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Many women feel sorry for their husbands and give them many chances to improve, not
realizing that they are gradually just getting used to beatings and humiliation. But this is not
normal, and if you have already resigned yourself to such treatment, then at least think about
children - the most precious thing you have.
So how to deal with domestic violence? Where to go for help? Nowadays, there are many
instances where you can be helped, and you should be aware of them. These are the police, the
department for juvenile affairs, the department for family and youth affairs, organizations for the
protection of women's rights. Even if you have not yet become a victim of violence, but feel such
danger, you can contact psychologists who will give you some advice and tell you about the
prevention of domestic violence.
The institution provides emergency psychological, legal assistance, as well as social
support to women and families in difficult life situations. There is housing provided by a
benefactor for temporary residence of victims of domestic violence, women with children, who
have been left without a roof over their heads.
Housing Policies
Domestic violence is not limited to a particular country, political or economic
system. The scale of the problem is global: according to the United Nations, every third woman
suffers from domestic violence in her lifetime. According to the World Health Organization,
35% of murders of women are committed by intimate partners. Intimate violence extends far
beyond marriage, and there has been an increase in violence among adolescents in
relationships. In this regard, the UK expanded the list of persons who, by law, may suffer from

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domestic violence in 2012 to include persons aged 16-17, as official surveys on domestic
violence found that this age group is in the most high-risk group.
Humanitarian action is most effective when it addresses not only the priority needs of
those most affected, but also protects rights at every stage and ensures the long-term well-being
of the most vulnerable. Gender-based violence is one of the most serious protection challenges
faced by individuals, families and communities during humanitarian emergencies. In recent
years, information about cases of severe forms of sexual violence in conflict situations,
especially against women and girls, has attracted public attention. This type of abuse, as well as
the less recognized forms of gender-based violence - intimate partner violence, child marriage
and female genital mutilation - are increasing in frequency and are alarming. Natural disasters
and other emergencies exacerbate the impact of violence and limit available remedies. However,
gender-based violence not only violates the rights and traumatizes the victims, but also threatens
the resilient foundations of the communities in which they live, making recovery and recovery
from crisis more difficult.
Shelter system and one toll-free hotline for victims
Shelters, crisis centers, shelters are an effective means of comprehensive protection
against domestic violence. When the victims have nowhere to go, there is no way to leave their
place of residence and there is no one to turn to for help, the risk to the life and health of women
and children increases significantly. Shelters must be easily accessible, i.e. to be in close
proximity to the place of residence of the victims in all settlements. The number of shelters
should be sufficient to provide safe accommodation for victims, especially single women and
women with children. Research shows that women are more likely to come to the shelter with
their children. [37]... The shelters should accept victims around the clock and on weekdays and

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weekends. Restrictions on access to shelters (for example, the provision of various certificates)
can harm victims. For example, in Albania, access to shelters is only available to victims with a
protection order, which is not always quick to obtain. Information about shelters should also be
as widespread as possible. In addition, victims in shelters need regular psychological and legal
assistance, as they often need to completely change their lives (new housing, places for children
in a kindergarten or school, new jobs). Particular attention should be paid to training staff on how
to deal with sexual violence, as in the general context of domestic violence it is not detected
unless a professional is working with the victim.
It is important to note that shelters and hotlines, which are essential in situations of
ongoing violence and imminent threats to life or health, operate only in the short term and do not
solve long-term issues and problems of victims associated with leaving situations of
violence. Most women who temporarily live in shelters return home if they do not have
alternative housing options.
A package of measures to support the reintegration of victims
Reintegration measures are carried out by increasing the economic independence and
preserving the economic potential of the victims. It has been proven that the more victims of
domestic violence become able to support themselves, the higher the likelihood that they will get
out of the abusive relationship [39] . Women with increased economic dependence in relationships
face the risk of being exposed to more serious forms of violence, even with effective measures
such as protection orders [40] .
Support can be provided to victims by the state and / or non-profit organizations in the
form of social housing, secret housing, paid work days to recover from violence, employment
benefits, benefits when placing children in school and preschool institutions, etc. For example ,

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in Portugal, provisions on the response of businesses to cases of domestic violence were
introduced into the labor code - this is the provision of leave for the period of health recovery,
the transfer of the victim to work in branches in other localities of the country, etc.
In Georgia, state crisis centers offer knowledge and skills development programs for the
victims who are in them. The purpose of these programs is to enable them to find work and live
an independent life after they leave the shelter.
Societal responses to women
Alongside the penal response to violence against women, actions are being taken to
identify and support women victims of violence. Information campaigns are regularly carried
out, and from March 2007 a single telephone number for victims or witnesses of domestic
violence was set up: 3919 , which is still effective.
The "serious hazard phones" , mobile with a direct button to call for help in an
emergency, enabled over 400 interventions of the police in 2018.
An online reporting platform(new window), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, was
also created to allow victims to communicate anonymously with a police officer or a gendarme
trained in sexual and domestic violence. It also makes it possible to collect witness reports.
Likewise, in order to welcome and support women victims of violence, accommodation
structures have been set up, and the law of 5 March 2007 relating to the right to housing is
enforceable.(new window) (known as the “Dalo law”) provides that women victims of violence
are among the priority groups for the allocation of social housing.
The law of March 7, 2016(new window) facilitates the access of foreign women victims
of violence to a residence permit.

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The law on equality and citizenship of January 27, 2017(new window)also recognizes
women at risk of forced marriage as a priority for access to social housing. It opens the
possibility for associations in favor of women's rights to exercise the rights recognized to the
civil party of sexist crimes and offenses, with the agreement of a beneficiary of a deceased
victim.
The health crisis and confinement would have had a revealing effect (and not a trigger) of
domestic violence, and an aggravating effect in certain situations. The MIPROF report
recommends perpetuating and strengthening the systems and actions put in place during
confinement because they turn out to be well suited to the specificities of violence within the
couple. As soon as the second confinement was established, in November 2020, the government
communicated on the planned measures(new window) in the matter.
Violence against women is sometimes trivialized, even encouraged by
stereotypes. Schools have a role to play in preventing violence between young people, combating
sexist behavior and ensuring respect education in order to avoid the entrenchment in adulthood
of dominating behavior that generates violence against women. .
Likewise, the media contribute to the formation of social representations. Each year, the
radio and television channels must submit qualitative and quantitative indicators on the
representation of women and men in their programs to the Superior Audiovisual Council .
Prevention and Intervention—The Role of Funders
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified four major types of
activities to prevent and intervene in domestic violence:
 promoting healthy family relationships,
 providing coordinated services to domestic violence victims,

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 enforcing laws to hold perpetrators responsible, and
 conducting research and data collection to monitor trends in domestic violence
and evaluate the effectiveness of prevention and evaluation efforts.
The federal government is the major source of funding for efforts to prevent and address
domestic violence, but philanthropy has played an important role in supporting domestic
violence services.
Philanthropic funding to address domestic violence is largely devoted to direct services
for victims and their families, such as housing assistance, counseling, legal aid, and health care.
Some funders provide general operating support to organizations that provide services to victims
of domestic violence. However, foundation grants for domestic violence services more typically
fund specific projects or programs designed to enhance the scope, reach, or effectiveness of these
services. Examples of this work include efforts to:
 Develop Culturally Responsive Services: Social and cultural factors affect
whether and how victims of domestic violence disclose abuse and may influence the
effectiveness of the services they receive. Domestic service providers are most successful when
they adapt interventions to the cultural perspectives of the people they serve. Cultural
competence requires the provision of both linguistically and culturally sensitive services. In
2012, the Blue Shield of California Foundation funded a $2.6 million program to strengthen
cultural competency in California’s domestic violence field with a focus on outreach to Tribal
communities, African Americans, and recent immigrant populations. Grants supported a broad
range of activities, including organizational assessments, training for staff, outreach to target
communities, and diversification of staff and service entry points.