A HOUSING association is making a stand against domestic abuse in its communities with a series of policies.

Broadacres has signed up to the Make a Stand national campaign, launched by the Chartered Institute of Housing, in partnership with the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) and Women’s Aid.

Housing is the number one barrier to women leaving abusive situations and domestic abuse is one of the highest causes of homelessness among women, which led to Broadacres opening its women’s refuge in 2009.

Now the association has signed up to four further commitments, namely:

• To put in place a policy to support residents who are experiencing domestic abuse.

• To make information about national and local domestic abuse support services available on its websites and other places easily accessible to residents and staff.

• To put in place human resources policies and procedures to support members of staff who are experiencing domestic abuse.

• To appoint a champion with Broadacres who will lead on the activity.

Broadacres is currently working towards DAHA accreditation, which is the UK benchmark for housing providers in responding to domestic abuse.

Gail Teasdale, Broadacres’ chief executive, said: “One in four women experience domestic abuse and two are killed every week in the UK.

“The number one barrier to women leaving abusive situations is housing and domestic abuse is one of the highest causes of homelessness among women.

“Broadacres recognised this when it opened its women’s refuge.

“The refuge provides accommodation and services for single women, and women with children who have been, or who are, affected by domestic abuse, providing a safe place where they can regain control over their lives and eventually re-establish themselves in the community.

“Like all housing providers we know we can do more to tackle the issue and by signing up to the Make a Stand campaign and working towards the DAHA accreditation, we are making tacking domestic abuse one of our key organisational priorities.”