15 November 2024
The Minister for Housing has published a report giving his policy response to the
recommendations made by the Taskforce on Violence Against Women and Girls
(VAWG) regarding the provision of follow-on accommodation for victim-survivors of
domestic abuse when moving from temporary refuge accommodation into
independent living.
The paper sets out a range of proposed actions to strengthen the
housing support services available for victim-survivors.
It can be read here: Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) housing policy response
Minister for Housing, Deputy Sam Mézec, said: “Access to housing must never be a
barrier for victim-survivors to leave abusive relationships and seeking the help they
need to rebuild their lives. I am committed to ensuring that victim-survivors of
domestic abuse have access to safe, secure and affordable homes.
“Many victim-survivors of VAWG are forced to flee their homes, which has a
devastating and long-lasting impact on them and, in many cases, their children. This
includes losing stable housing, which makes them particularly vulnerable to
homelessness.”
The Minister’s report comes following the first publication of the ‘Homelessness in
Jersey Report’ , which was published last month on World Homelessness Day. The
report showed that the main reason for homelessness reported amongst women in
Jersey is due to being at risk of, experiencing or escaping from domestic abuse,
representing 39% of recorded cases in the second quarter of 2024.
In his response, the Minister pays tribute to the “many excellent housing and
support services available for victim-survivors”, including FREEDA, the Shelter
Trust, Andium Homes and the Government of Jersey’s Housing Advice Service,
saying that there is a strong foundation to build further work on.
Deputy Mézec added: “The Taskforce’s report has provided us with an opportunity
to think carefully about how we can enhance the housing support available for
victim-survivors. We must do all we can to ensure that victim-survivors are able to
get help with housing at the earliest possible opportunity, and in a manner that is
sensitive to their needs.
“Working in partnership with other housing and support services, I am committed
to tackling violence against women and girls in all its forms, whilst ensuring we
provide the best possible support and options for women to move forward with
their lives.”
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