Sunderland's Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation and Support Services Strategy

Domestic abuse has a devastating impact on lives and leaves those who are experiencing abuse (and their children) living in fear in the place where they should feel safe - their homes.

Sunderland City Council has approved a Safe Accommodation Strategy which provides safe accommodation and support for women, men and children who are at risk of, or have experienced domestic abuse.

The three year strategy is a requirement of the new Domestic Abuse Act 2021 to ensure that any person experiencing domestic abuse is provided with safe accommodation and specialist support from domestic abuse services to support recovery and rebuilding of their lives.

The four priorities of the strategy are:

• Ensure that what we do is underpinned by a robust needs assessment
• Deliver quality service interventions which contribute to improving outcomes for survivors and children
• Increase our safe accommodation provision
• Strengthen our approach in hearing the voice of survivors, children and young people, including those with protected characteristics to ensure their views are heard and influence what we do

This strategy is part of the Sunderland multi-agency response to protect victims and survivors and prevent violence against women and girls and male victims. You can downloaded a copy of the Sunderland's Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation and Support Services Strategy.

The Council has appointed a The Sunderland Domestic Violence Partnership  (a multi-agency, local partnership Board) to help deliver the strategy.

Sunderland City Council commissions safe accommodation support services for survivors of domestic abuse. Anyone experiencing domestic abuse can access help and advice via the Domestic Abuse and Violence against Women and Girls Executive Board website. WWiN support not only women affected by domestic abuse, but they also support anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse regardless of gender, race, ethnic or religious group, sexuality or disability. If you are in immediate danger please dial 999.