A new report reveals that 594 survivors of domestic abuse in Brighton & Hove were supported across 2024/25 through the strong offering to local people needing specialist assistance from trained housing staff.
The report, compiled by Brighton & Hove City Council and affordable housing provider Stonewater, reflects on what has changed since the initial study took place in 2024 and looks into how survivors access safe housing.
The new report highlights significant local improvements that have taken place in the last year, including domestic abuse specialists now being integrated into all temporary housing risk assessments, improving victim safety when placing them into homes.
Refuge Champions have also been introduced across Brighton’s housing services, establishing direct connections between domestic abuse survivors and local housing teams.
The creation of specific roles to support LGBTQ+ survivors, Black and minority women, as well as those with disabilities, has meant that support has been able to reach a wider proportion of individuals.
However, the report also warns that older women have said that they continue to feel ‘invisible’, often falling through the cracks between domestic abuse and older persons’ housing services. Some women have reported difficulties in securing appropriate accommodation or in navigating complex housing pathways that do not reflect their specific needs.
Some key recommendations from the report include the introduction of dedicated housing support for older women, expanding LGBTQ+ and culturally appropriate accommodation and embedding domestic abuse awareness into private rented sector work and housing allocation policies.
The report reaffirms Brighton & Hove’s role to help shape a future UK-wide reciprocal housing scheme for survivors.
Councillor Sam Parrott, lead member on violence against women and girls at Brighton & Hove City Council, said: “I’m very proud that last year we were able to work with our partners to provide the much-needed specialist housing support to 594 residents, who bravely reached out to us after experiencing abuse.
“It is encouraging to see our support for these survivors improve, and essential that we continue to expand our offering as well as working alongside partners and survivors, so no one feels like they’re left behind and alone in their suffering.
“Introducing an enhanced housing pathway for domestic abuse survivors has been essential in helping families and individuals get into settled temporary housing and then move forward with a more secure future.
“As a local authority, we are committed to following our VAWG strategy, to hearing the voices of people with lived experiences and embedding trauma-informed thinking across the entire organisation.”
Nicola Lambe, Head of Specialist Services at Stonewater, said: “It’s encouraging to see the positive changes that have taken place across Brighton & Hove over the last 12 months, following the initial Safe Haven by the Sea report. Hundreds of individuals have been supported on a local level by newly created services and teams, to help secure safe homes for abuse victims.
“The most recent report has been essential in providing up to date insight of how specific groups of domestic abuse survivors can be supported to ensure their needs are met. Looking ahead, we’ll be working to adapt housing strategies to make sure tailored support is provided for marginalised groups and those disproportionately affected.”
