Housing association joins domestic abuse campaign

HJALTLAND Housing Association has signed up to a national campaign which aims to support residents and staff suffering from domestic abuse.

The organisation has backed the Make a Stand campaign, which has been developed by the Chartered Institute of Housing in conjunction with Women’s Aid and the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance.

It means the housing association has signed up to four commitments relating to people who are experiencing or at risk of domestic abuse. They are:

• To make information about national and local domestic abuse support services available on your website and in other places which are easily accessible to residents and staff
• To put in place a HR policy and procedure on domestic abuse, or to incorporate this into an existing policy, to support members of staff who are experiencing domestic abuse
• Appoint a champion in your organisation to own the activity you are doing to support people experiencing domestic abuse.
• To put in place and embed a policy to support residents who are experiencing domestic abuse

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Hjaltland’s head of housing Phillip Morrison-Gale said: “By signing the Make a Stand pledge, Hjaltland Housing Association has committed to supporting people in our communities.

“We know the housing sector plays a crucial role in recognising and responding to domestic abuse and this pledge is an effective way to not only demonstrate commitment but also take the first practical steps to improving the response for both staff and residents.”

Laura Stronach, manager of Shetland Women’s Aid, hailed the development as “fantastic news”.

“Shetland Women’s Aid are delighted that domestic abuse is being recognised in this way and that Hjaltland have signed up to the Chartered Institute of Housing’s Make a Stand pledge,” she said.

“This gives individuals who are experiencing domestic abuse confidence when they are unsafe at home to access the help and support they need.

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“Having the ‘time to escape’ is quite often a real issue for busy working clients who are trying to ensure safety for children and punctuality for employers, this is a great example of working together to keep our people safe.

“We would ask other employers in Shetland to consider their own policies and procedures in relation to domestic abuse, and invite them to talk to us about better protection and recognition.”