Safety or Uncertainty? The battle for secure refuge

Written by Jessamyn Eddie

By the end of March 2025, an estimated 3.8 million people over the age of 16 were reported victims of domestic abuse in the UK. This staggering statistic emphasises how prominent the topic is today and fortunately there are many systems and charities set up to ensure victims have somewhere to turn. However, with such a large volume of cases there comes an inevitable struggle to provide care, support and safe housing. What we are now encountering are survivors who have fled their own homes remaining in a state of turmoil and confusion without a stable and secure house to call their own.

The Domestic Abuse Act passed in 2021 outlined the need for local authorities in England to make arrangements for accommodation based support to victims and their children. However there are flaws to this system. Authorities often simply do not have the funding nor the space to ensure safe, high-quality housing for every survivor in need. Equally the hunt for a home becomes a traumatic ordeal of having to repeat and justify their stories of abuse just to qualify for support.

Any individual or family fleeing domestic abuse deserves to feel safe and supported once having to flee their own home. But the current reality is unfortunately not the case. Victims experience overcrowded accommodation, financial burden, upheaval, disruption and even the threat of their abuser being able to locate them. Equally some find it hard to find any housing at all. Survivors comment on feeling less of a priority if they did not have children and that often the fear of the unknown once leaving an abuser outweighs the danger of staying.

Children of survivors are also suffering due to unstable housing. Frequent moves and constant stress impact their learning at school and their development; a child cannot be expected to heal in a turbulent environment. Emergency housing is not enough of a foundation to feel safe and valued.

Beyond funding shortages, the system itself is fragmented. Survivors can bounce between homes, charities and local authorities for over a year post fleeing abuse, leaving their lives in disarray. No one deserves the added stress of not having a safe home to recover from the trauma and pain they have endured. Often single survivors, men, those with disabilities and those with insecure immigration status are deemed ‘lesser priority’ on waiting lists to get a new home. This is something we need to work to change, no domestic abuse victim is less deserving of security than another.

The reality is stark: no one should have to choose between violence and homelessness. Yet for thousands across the UK, that is exactly the decision they are forced to make. It is vital that this is an ultimatum future victims never have to experience, instead there must be a guarantee of safety and support from the moment they leave an abuser and for as long as they require.

At Goldfinch we work hard to provide safe, secure and accessible housing for survivors of domestic abuse. Having worked alongside charities for survivors, director Natasha has an excellent understanding of how to provide support and resources. We acknowledge everyone as equals and use ethical investments to refurbish and create high-quality homes for vulnerable people to have another chance at a stable life free from fear and trauma.