Domestic abuse policy

2.1 This policy applies to our tenants, shared owners, leaseholders and members of their household who have been subject to domestic abuse. Although we offer a tenure blind service, in the cases of leaseholders it is recognised that our interventions will be more limited. Where we are not able to help directly, we will offer advice on alternative sources of accommodation and signposting to voluntary organisations and support services who can help.

2.2 We acknowledge that many definitions of domestic abuse exist and have chosen to adopt the definition outlined in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which defines ‘domestic abuse’ as behaviour of a person towards another person where they are each aged over 16 and are personally connected to each other and the behaviours consists of any of the following:
► physical or sexual abuse;
► violent or threatening behaviour;
► controlling or coercive behaviour;
► economic abuse (more detail at 2.5;)
► psychological, emotional or other abuse;
and it does not matter whether the behaviour consists of a single incident or a course of conduct.

2.3 Controlling behaviour is a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour.

2.4 Coercive behaviour is “an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.” *

*This definition includes so called ‘honour’ based violence, female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage, and is clear that victims are not confined to one gender or ethnic group.

2.5 Economic abuse means any behaviour that has a substantial adverse effect on a victim’s ability to:
► Acquire, use or maintain money or other property, or
► Obtain goods or services.

2.6 The victim’s perception of the situation must be taken into consideration, and we will take a “victim centred” approach. B3Living will accept the victim’s
account and will not insist on the victim providing proof of abuse. 

2.7 The Act defines two people as “personally connected” to each other if any of the following applies—
► they are, or have been, married to each other;
► they are, or have been, civil partners of each other;

► they have agreed to marry one another (whether or not the
agreement has been terminated);
► they have entered into a civil partnership agreement (whether or not the agreement has been terminated);
► hey are, or have been, in an intimate personal relationship with each other;
► hey each have, or there has been a time when they each have had, a parental relationship in relation to the same child;
► they are relatives.

2.8 This policy extends to all genders and includes both same-sex and opposite sex relationships

3.1 Policy Aims
► To set out our commitment for tackling domestic abuse.
► To provide clear guidance to staff, residents and other stakeholders of our approach in tackling domestic abuse within our communities.
► To ensure that we put the victim at the heart of our approach to domestic abuse. 

3.2 Policy detail
3.2.1 A report can be made via:
► Face-to-face reports from the victim
► A telephone call from the victim
► Letter
► E-mail
► Our app
► WebChat or LiveChat
► Report from a third party e.g. witness, councillor, social worker, etc.
► Communication with the relevant Local Authority
► A report could also come via other domestic abuse support agencies
3.2.2 If an out of hours response is needed, it would normally indicate that the matter is both serious and urgent and therefore should be reported to and dealt with by the Police. We are, however, able to offer advice out of hours and can be contacted via the usual out of hours service through our mainline phone number.

3.2.3 We will respond to all complaints of domestic abuse within one working day.

3.2.4 A case officer from the Neighbourhood Team will be assigned for the convenience of the victim. This will help reduce the need to share
information about the case widely and preserve confidentiality.

3.2.5 We will offer the victim, as far as practically possible, an opportunity to discuss their situation with a member of staff of the same gender. It is not expected that staff will fulfil the counselling or advice role of specialist agencies but will be trained to offer sympathetic advice and assistance and develop good working relationships with relevant local organisations

3.2.6 The victim may be interviewed at their home, an office or any other mutually convenient place (e.g. a friend’s home or another agency providing support) within one working day of requesting assistance.

3.2.7 The tenant/victim will be made to feel as comfortable as possible and an empathetic, fair and uniform approach taken to all contacts.

3.2.8 We recognise that moving may not always be the most appropriate solution to the problem. Emergency re-housing would normally be arranged by the local authority in accordance with homelessness legislation. In some circumstances we may consider a management transfer. This type of transfer is at our discretion and would only be agreed on a like for like basis (e.g. if the tenant was in a bedsit they would be allocated a bedsit), where there is a risk of harm by remaining in the property and it is the most appropriate option.

3.2.9 B3Living will do all we can to ensure that the victim is safe in their home. Measures we can take to achieve this include:
► We will improve security where possible, for example by assessing locks, lighting, spyholes, window reinforcement, etc.
► Where there is a risk of arson, we will provide and install fireproof letterboxes and mats. The Fire Service can be contacted to install smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.
► Installation of covert CCTV
► Installation of a Sanctuary (safe) room
► Seek an anti-social behaviour injunction to keep the perpetrator away from the home of the victim.
► Initiate possession proceedings against the perpetrator if they are a tenant or are occupying the property for example, where a joint tenant has relinquished the tenancy or taking possession action against the tenant for breach of tenancy.

3.2.10 We will undertake repair and maintenance work arising from a domestic abuse incident as a matter of urgency after documenting evidence.

3.2.11 Where possession action is taken against the perpetrator, we will advise them to seek legal advice and speak with the local authority in respect of their position under homelessness legislation.

3.2.12 Where the tenancy is a joint tenancy and one party wishes to become a sole tenant and domestic abuse is unsubstantiated, B3Living will usually advise that both parties must agree to end the tenancy and for it to be re-issued to one party only, which must be decided by the joint tenants.

3.2.13 We will provide a list of useful contact numbers for other support agencies to the victim.

3.2.14 We understand that not all victims wish for us to act against the perpetrator. Our action will solely depend on the needs of the victim. The victim will be advised what options are open to them and will be fully supported by B3Living, irrespective of their decision.

3.2.15 If we feel that the victim is at a significant risk of harm, it is very likely that we will inform the Police, even if this is against the victim’s wishes.

3.2.16 Where we feel that a case reaches the threshold to require a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC), we will carry out a risk assessment and refer into this process to share information with support services and increase the safety, health and well-being of victims and any dependents.

3.2.17 If we believe that there is a risk of harm to a child, we will make a safeguarding referral to Children Services or contact the Police if we believe
that the risk is immediate. Similarly, if the case involves a vulnerable adult, we will make a referral to Adult Care Services.

3.2.18 In order to act against the perpetrator and/or to move the victim on a temporary or permanent basis, we would require evidence. We will gather evidence from the following sources:
► By interviewing the victim and recording any physical damage to the property.
► Researching any background information if there is a history of domestic violence e.g. current house-files or house-files of former landlords.
► Interviewing witnesses with the consent of the victim.
► Requesting any information held by other agencies e.g. the police, social services, probation services, support agencies etc. again with the consent of the victim.

3.2.19 Details of all contacts with the victim and other people about the case will be accurately documented.

3.2.20 Strict confidentiality will always be maintained and contact addresses, correspondence and information will be kept safely.

3.2.21 The possibilities of approaching/involving other agencies for advice, assistance, corroboration, etc. should be explored and permission sought from the victim to do so.

3.3 Monitoring
3.3.1 As with all activities, it is expected that this service will be provided in a way which conforms to all our policies.

3.3.2 To ensure consistency and quality, 100% of cases will be subject to audit by the Antisocial Behaviour Specialist.

3.3.3 Records will be kept for performance monitoring purposes and will include:
► demand for the service e.g. numbers of individuals and number of repeat contacts
► actions taken
► outcomes, e.g. transfer, no action, injunction, etc.

3.3.4 This monitoring information will be evaluated regularly and included in Neighbourhood reports.

We will apply this policy consistently, fairly and with professionalism. We do not discriminate against any person on grounds of their age, disability, gender
reassignment/transgender, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or any other matter that may cause a person to be treated with injustice.

We will use plain language and make information available in different formats and languages for staff and customers on request.

We will support anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse to access appropriate
support which reflects their needs.

This policy will be operated in line with B3 Living’s Data Protection and Confidentiality Policy and relevant Data Sharing Protocols with partners.

Where we do not have formal data sharing protocols with partners, we will operate our own policy and procedures, and ensure that all data is stored and used appropriately.

Listening to individual customer feedback about the service we deliver to them is vital when working with customers who hoard, as each person is likely to have different and varied experiences of domestic abuse. As such, customer feedback and input will consistently be sought whilst working with a person who experiencing or reporting domestic abuse to achieve the best possible outcome.

The Head of Housing has overall responsibility for this policy, with day-to-day responsibilities as follows:

► The Antisocial Behaviour Specialist – overseeing the implementation of the policy through working closely with members of the Neighbourhood team who are managing domestic abuse cases and ensuring that the team has relevant training.

► Neighbourhood Team – dealing with reports of domestic abuse and liaising with the police and support services as appropriate; advising tenants or members of their household as to the courses of action available to them; taking legal action where appropriate; keeping statistics for analysis; liaising with the local authority where a management move is seen to be the desired solution.

10.1 To ensure consistency and quality, 100% of cases will be subject to audit by the ASB Specialist and/or the Neighbourhood Team Leader.

10.2 This monitoring information will be evaluated regularly and logged on QLx in an ASB case.