ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with some words from a woman who was involved in recent research on multi-agency responses to domestic violence. It argues that the example of policy and legislation affecting safe housing for women experiencing domestic violence, under the previous government in particular, betrayed confusion and lack of commitment to a coordinated policy of support for women in this situation and their children. Such a lack of security, especially where there are children in the family, would also apparently contradict the government’s duty to families and children in need under other legislation such as the Children Act 1989. Housing organizations across the board, statutory, voluntary and commercial, including those representing specific groups such as women and children escaping domestic violence, were disturbed and outraged by the proposed legislation. Women’s worse access to better paid work and to financial resources generally, especially when they have children, has been firmly established.
