Leveraging social housing in Labour’s pledge to halve violence against women and girls

In light of a Guardian report marking the lives of 50 women allegedly killed by men in the UK in 2024, and Labour’s pledge to halve violence against women and girls, Dr Hannah Absalom underscores the urgent need for the social housing sector to rethink its role from a passive provider of housing to an active participant in the fight against domestic abuse.

"Labour's commitment to halving violence against women and girls requires a multifaceted approach, and social housing is at the heart of this strategy. Research shows that a stable and secure home is often the first step for survivors seeking to escape abusive situations. Yet, too often, the social housing system fails to adequately address this need. Homes are provided, but the additional support required to ensure these homes are truly safe and conducive to healing is frequently lacking. The sector must evolve from simply providing shelter to creating homes and environments where tenants, especially survivors of domestic abuse, can feel safe, supported, and empowered to rebuild their lives.

“The social housing sector must integrate the prevention and response to domestic abuse into its core mission using strategies that include implementing safe housing policies, comprehensive staff and community training, and establishing collaborative networks with local authorities and domestic abuse charities. By integrating these practices into their core mission, social housing providers can significantly contribute to reducing domestic violence and supporting healthier communities.”