Glossary

Community Safety Partnership (CSP)

A statutory body that brings together local agencies to reduce crime and improve safety, including tackling domestic abuse.

DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour-Based Violence Risk Assessment)

A checklist used by professionals to assess the risk of harm in domestic abuse cases.

Dispersed Accommodation

Safe housing units located throughout the community, offering privacy and flexibility for survivors who may not require communal refuge settings.

Domestic Abuse

Any incident or pattern of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading, or violent behaviour—including sexual violence—between individuals aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.

Domestic Abuse Act 2021

Legislation that defines domestic abuse in law, grants automatic priority need to victims, and places duties on local authorities to provide safe accommodation.

Domestic Abuse Commissioner

An independent national role established under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 to monitor and improve responses to domestic abuse across England and Wales.

Homelessness Reduction Act 2017

Legislation that introduced prevention and relief duties for local authorities to support individuals at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advisor)

A specialist professional who supports survivors of domestic abuse, particularly those at high risk, by advocating for their safety and access to services.

IRIS (Identification and Referral to Improve Safety)

A programme that trains primary care professionals to identify and refer patients experiencing domestic abuse to specialist support services.

Joint Tenancy

A housing arrangement where two or more individuals share legal responsibility for a property. Survivors may face challenges in removing perpetrators from joint tenancies.

MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference)

A meeting where multiple agencies share information about high-risk domestic abuse to develop coordinated safety plans for survivors.

Needs Assessment

A statutory review conducted every three years to evaluate the demand, gaps, and barriers in domestic abuse services, particularly safe accommodation.

Prevention Duty

A legal obligation to support individuals at risk of homelessness within 56 days, aiming to prevent them from becoming homeless.

Refuge

Communal living spaces offering immediate safety and support for survivors of domestic abuse, often used by those at high risk.

Relief Duty

A legal obligation under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 to help individuals who are already homeless secure accommodation.

Safe Accommodation

Housing that meets the statutory definition under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, including refuges, dispersed properties, sanctuary schemes, and second-stage accommodation. It excludes temporary housing such as hotels.

Sanctuary Scheme

A multi-agency initiative that enables survivors to remain safely in their homes through enhanced security measures and ongoing support.

Survivor Centred

An approach that places the needs, voices, and choices of those harmed by domestic abuse at the heart of service design and delivery.

Trauma-Informed Approach

A framework that recognises the impact of trauma and prioritises safety, trust, empowerment, and collaboration in service delivery. It seeks to avoid re-traumatisation and supports recovery.

VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls)

A national strategy addressing gender-based violence, including domestic abuse, sexual violence, and harassment.

Whole Housing Approach

A coordinated housing response to domestic abuse that includes prevention, crisis intervention, and long-term recovery support.