National Domestic Abuse Group

Our National Domestic Abuse Group brings together representatives from housing associations across the country to improve the sector’s identification of and response to domestic abuse.

Domestic Abuse Core Group

The group aims to raise awareness of domestic abuse at a strategic level and enable housing associations to work together to improve their response. This group is particularly interested in ensuring that the social housing sector has a consistently high standard of responses to incidences of domestic abuse.

The group, chaired by Lisa Clarke (Clarion Housing) is designed for both general needs housing associations and those with specific services to raise awareness, share learning and drive change at the national level. Membership of the core group is by application on a periodic basis.

Group members 

• Lisa Clarke, Clarion Housing Group (Chair)
• Louise Reynolds, Connexus Homes Limited
• Colette O'Neill, Nottingham Community HA Ltd
• Rachel Shuter, Refuge
• Victoria Dingle, Soha Housing Limited
• Adela Lategan, Standing Together Against Domestic Violence
• Nicki Clarke, Standing Together Against Domestic Violence
• Sharon Crosby, Standing Together Against Domestic Violence
• Nicola Lambe, Stonewater Ltd
• Sue Lewis, Together Housing Group Ltd

The Domestic Abuse Bill

The Domestic Abuse Bill was given royal assent in April 2021, resulting in further significant changes such as a new definition of domestic abuse, new offenses to protect survivors, and the appointment of a domestic abuse commissioner to stand up for survivors. The Social Housing White Paper has also highlighted the role of housing associations in this important area.

As a result, the group is keen to raise the profile of the role of housing associations in identifying domestic abuse cases among residents and supporting victims. To get involved, please join our domestic abuse mailing list to ensure that you receive regular updates on crucial issues.