Abuse is leading cause of homeless women

DOMESTIC abuse is the “main cause” of women becoming homeless, according to a new report by the Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland and Scottish Women’s Aid.

With not all of the cash in the £50 million Ending Homelessness Together action plan allocated, the Scottish Government is urged to put some of it into a new “national domestic abuse and social housing innovation fund” to help those affected.

Such a move could help councils and housing associations to “develop effective domestic abuse strategies”, the report said.

In addition to this, the report called on the Scottish Government to provide additional money to councils, allowing them to “provide enough high quality temporary accommodation and support services to meet the needs of women and children”.

It suggests councils and housing associations establish referral systems with law centres and experts in family law and domestic abuse “in order to help victim-survivors get the legal advice and assistance they need to make informed decisions”.

The report recommends all staff working in homeless services and relevant support services should receive specialist training on domestic abuse and other forms of violence against women and girls.

Housing minister Kevin Stewart welcomed the report, which was commissioned by the Scottish Government, saying it “marks a huge step in recognising and addressing the impact domestic abuse has”.