Michelle Meldrum, chief executive for Berwickshire Housing Association (BHA) presented the Network’s key approaches to addressing domestic abuse which include (i) a unified staff policy and specialist training for all staff across the four RSLs, (ii) a new staff support network with “Domestic Abuse Workplace Support” (DAWS) volunteers placed across BHN, (iii) an increased focus on prevention and early intervention and (iv) improved access online and offline, to national and local support services and information.

The Borders Housing Network’s chief executives recently restated their commitment to the CIH ‘Make a Stand’ pledge which encourages the social housing sector to develop policies for both staff and customers, appoint a senior leader as the organisation’s domestic abuse champion, and ensure information in relation to support services is available and easily accessible.

During the meeting, a domestic abuse survivor shared her personal experiences of receiving support from BHA and the positive difference this made.

Housing minister Paul McLennan said: “Domestic abuse is the leading cause of homelessness for women in Scotland. I was pleased to learn about the work of the Borders Housing Network in tackling domestic abuse throughout the communities they serve. The Make A Stand pledge is playing a crucial role in supporting women and children experiencing domestic abuse. From specialist training for staff to improved access to services and information, their work is helping more people to feel safe in their homes.

“I urge all social landlords to do everything that they can to support their tenants experiencing domestic abuse to be safe, including staying in their own home and preventing homelessness. We have committed to make it a statutory requirement for all social landlords to have a domestic abuse policy as part of the planned prevention of homelessness duties.”

BHA’s chief executive Michelle Meldrum said: “We appreciate the opportunity to meet with the housing minister to discuss the role of social housing in the context of domestic abuse, an issue which has devastating impacts on victims, children, families and wider communities.

“The social housing sector has a key role to play alongside other partners in developing and implementing interventions around prevention, early intervention, support and enforcement. We welcome the strengthened legislation and look forward to continuing our dialogue with the Minister and his team.”