The government’s new violence against women and girls strategy sets out welcome ambitions to strengthen protection and tackle misogyny, but the real test will be in delivery (UK government strategy to protect women and girls from violence ‘seriously underfunded’, 18 December). Housing remains one of the most critical yet underfunded parts of the national response to abuse. Without a secure home, survivors cannot rebuild their lives, access work or engage with support services.
Every week, too many women and families seeking help are turned away because there simply isn’t enough safe, suitable housing available. A survivor can’t start again if they have nowhere to go. Housing associations are uniquely placed to bridge that gap – combining safe accommodation with specialist, trauma-informed support that helps people rebuild confidence and independence.
While the government’s emphasis on prevention and early intervention is welcomed, this must be backed by long-term funding for housing-based solutions that recognise the complexity of people’s lives, including women with multiple needs, male survivors, children, disabled people, and minority communities, who often face the highest barriers to safety.
The strategy’s focus on early education and cultural change is encouraging, but housing must sit at the centre of this system of protection. Local authorities and registered providers are often the first point of contact for people at risk, and they need the resources to respond swiftly and safely.
I am pleased to see further measures announced to protect women and children, but we now need a joined-up approach that makes housing central to the fight against violence and abuse. A safe home should never be a privilege – it is the foundation for recovery.
Helena Doyle
Customer experience director – wellbeing, Stonewater
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