Pickering and Ferens Homes has signed up to a national campaign launched by Chartered Institute of Housing to help tackle domestic abuse.
Millions will experience some form of abuse every year, with two women being killed by their partner or ex-partner every week. Statistics from the Office for National Statistics suggest that the number of incidents is reducing, with the percentage of victims decreasing steadily since 2012. Despite this, domestic abuse often goes unreported.
Joining forces with Women’s Aid and the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA), Chartered Institute of Housing introduced the Make a Stand pledge in June this year. The pledge compromises of four areas of commitment, which have been created to allow organisations to show support to those experiencing domestic abuse.
These commitments include embedding a policy to offer support to those who are affected by domestic abuse, making information about national and local support services available to residents online, amending or creating a policy to support staff, and appointing a champion to head the policies that PFH chooses to run.
Katie Burton, PFH’s Make a Stand Champion, said: “The wellbeing of our residents is of the utmost importance – by pledging to Make a Stand, we’re reaffirming our commitment to supporting our residents as much as possible.
“It’s crucial that we’re raising awareness of domestic abuse and showing that people can come forward to us if they are in need.
“We’re hoping for others to step forward and show their support for Make a Stand.”
Alison Inman, Chartered Institute of Housing President, said: “I’m thrilled that PFH has signed the Make a Stand pledge as this could make a very real difference in local communities.
“Housing organisations employ and house millions of people and it is our duty to do more to tackle this issue. These are our homes, our people and this is our problem.
“By signing the Make a Stand pledge Pickering and Ferens Homes has committed to supporting people in its communities and it is no exaggeration to say that this could save a life.”
For more information on how to show your support, please visit – hhttp://www.cih.org/makeastand