Wandsworth Council is strengthening its commitment to combating domestic abuse with a new policy focused on equipping housing officers with the skills to identify and address these sensitive situations. The policy, approved by the Cabinet this November, aims to ensure the council maintains its accreditation with the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA).
The training will cover supporting those who openly present as fleeing domestic abuse and recognising patterns that may indicate abuse in residents who have not come forward. Councillor Aydin Dikerdem, Cabinet Member for Housing, explained that the training would focus on ensuring officers understand the signs to look for and the delicate ways through which they can try and flag potential issues on the system or get in contact with a resident who they might think is suffering from domestic abuse without putting them at risk.
Councillor Graeme Henderson, Cabinet Member for Health, welcomed the policy, highlighting that identification is a key problem in addressing domestic abuse. She offered to connect council officers with the voluntary sector, who often work with victims of domestic abuse. Councillor Dikerdem noted that the voluntary sector often refers directly to the council, and closer collaboration would allow for more preventative action and better preparedness.
The new policy aims to ensure that housing officers are up-to-date with modern practices in identifying and processing cases of domestic abuse. As Councillor Dikerdem stated, As a council, we are DAHA accredited, and the aim is to keep that re-accreditation by staying in step with how we deal with residents or people who present themselves to the council who may be suffering from domestic abuse or may be fleeing domestic abuse.
The council is committed to staying at the forefront of best practices in this area, reinforcing its dedication to the safety and well-being of its residents.
