Stafford and Rural Homes

February 20, 2008

Victims of domestic violence are being offered direct support in their own homes through an innovative scheme.

The Stafford Borough Sanctuary Scheme, a partnership between Staffordshire Police, Stafford Borough Community Safety Partnership, Stafford Borough Council and Stafford and Rural Homes, aims to prevent homelessness for victims of domestic violence.

Where victims feel secure and the violent partner no longer lives with the victim, those affected often have the opportunity to stay in their own homes.

If the victim chooses the sanctuary scheme, option risk assessments will be carried out to ensure suitable additional security measures are installed at the property.  Ongoing specialist domestic violence support is offered to families referred to the project by Stafford Women’s Aid and Victim Support.

Chief Inspector Paul Trevor, Operations and Community Chase North, said: “It is widely recognised that victims of domestic violence are at increased risk of becoming homeless and being removed from friends, family, support networks, schools and GPs.  A Sanctuary Scheme can be a positive response by a local authority to prevent homelessness where someone is faced with domestic violence.

A trial for the scheme was launched at the start of December 2007.  To date there have been 23 women within the Stafford Borough area who have benefited from the initiative.

Charlotte Almond, the Domestic Violence Co-ordinator for Stafford Borough said “Domestic violence is an issue that cuts across all sections of society and has a devastating effect on its victims, their families and the wider community.  It is vital that projects like this are available to enable victims of domestic violence and their children to stay safely in their own homes where it is possible and desired, while delivering a strong message to perpetrators that Stafford Borough does not tolerate domestic violence.”

Stafford and Rural Homes Chief Executive, Karen Armitage, added: “I am delighted to be working together with key partners to provide real practical help to those who have suffered domestic violence.

“The ability to offer not only advice and support but measures to help people remain in their own homes will contribute significantly to improving quality of life for victims.  Safety and security in our homes is something we all too often take for granted. Here’s our opportunity to make a real difference for those in need.”