Type:	Journal Article
Title:	Supporting survivors and securing access to housing for black minority ethnic and refugee women experiencing domestic violence in the UK
Other Titles:	Housing Care and Support
Authors:	Gill, Aisha Banga, Baljit
Keywords:	Policy;Refugee communities;CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse);Housing
Categories:	Culturally and Linguistically Diverse / Migrant / Refugee communities
Year:	2008
Publisher:	Pavilion Journals
Citation:	11 (3), November 2008
Notes:	General Overview: Black minority ethnic and refugee (BMER) women experiencing domestic violence face considerable barriers to accessing housing services. The authors of this UK study argue in favour of specialist women’s refuge services to address BMER women’s unique housing needs. Methods: The study employed a qualitative method, which sought to capture the views of both professionals and service users. Different methods were used for the two groups. The authors sent an open-ended questionnaire to professionals working in the fields of domestic violence, BMER women’s issues, the women’s sector, and service providers in the statutory, voluntary, community and non-government sectors. The authors then carried out a focus group with six clients of the Newham Asian Women’s Project. Results: The study found that: lack of housing, or unsuitable/inappropriate housing, could result in women returning to their violent partners; a lack of gender-based perspective in local planning means the needs of women who are homeless because of domestic violence remain unmet; unaffordable housing exposes women to high-risk and expensive tenancies; and the lack of clear guidelines for Homeless Persons’ Units on the rights of women contributes further to the problem of homelessness. The study also found that BMER women prefer specialist services, and that specialist services save resources. While the initial costs of specialist provision are often high, the cost of failing to meet BMER women’s particular needs is greater in the long term. Discussion: The authors found three main areas of housing policy should be addressed: first, the cost of homelessness; second, the need for ongoing comprehensive support services; and third, sexual inequality in access to housing. Recommendations: The recommendations of the study were wide-ranging and included changes to legislation, policy and service provision. Some of the recommendations were: specialists organisations to make direct contact with BMER women through outreach services; the introduction of a policy on specialist provision for BMER women; regulation of the activity of registered social landlords; the preparation of a “woman and housing report card” by the statutory sector; and the inclusion of a policy on domestic violence in urban regeneration plans. Conclusion: The study found housing needs of BMER women are not being met currently. Greater equality of provision can be achieved through a healthy and independent specialist sector.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/12889
ISSN:	14608790
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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