BASINGSTOKE and Deane Borough Council has signed up to work towards a nationally recognised accreditation in an effort to do more to provide safe accommodation and support for victims of domestic abuse.

The council signed up to get accreditation by the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance, a national partnership committed to improving the housing sector’s response to domestic abuse.

The pledge to work towards this accreditation comes after the council announced its support for the White Ribbon charity’s mission to end men’s violence against women and girls, by engaging men and boys to make a stand.

In November, White Ribbon also provided accreditation to the council’s works.

READ MORE: Basingstoke council achieves White Ribbon accreditation

This includes coordinating a local domestic abuse forum and working with neighbouring authorities to support the county council’s duties around victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

The housing team at the council has been expanded to ensure that there is a dedicated person specialising in helping victims of domestic abuse. 

Cabinet member for homes and regeneration Cllr Samuel Carr said: “Too many of our housing and homelessness cases involve incidents where domestic abuse has been a factor, with residents coming to us for housing support because of abuse in their homes or afraid to seek help earlier because of violence and intimidation. These are often the most difficult, complicated, and distressing cases we face.

“Understanding these challenges, and building upon our work to address them, we are working to achieve the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance accreditation, with the aim of improving the safe accommodation and support service we can offer to victims of domestic abuse.

“We have already started to evaluate how we can improve our housing team’s response, recently appointing a Strategic Housing Lead for Domestic Abuse to bolster the council’s expertise in this area.”