First, make sure they are safe to speak with you privately. Listen without judgement and believe what they tell you. Let them know that what they share will be handled sensitively. Do not pressure them to take any action they are not ready for. Make a clear record of what was disclosed and when. Then speak to your designated safeguarding lead or domestic abuse champion in your organisation, and consider whether a referral to a specialist service — such as Equation — would be helpful. If there is immediate risk to life, contact the police.

Yes. You do not need a formal disclosure to raise a concern. If you have noticed signs that concern you, you can ask — sensitively, privately, and without pressure. You might say something like: “I’ve noticed a few things that have concerned me. I just want to check that everything is OK at home.” You do not have to name what you think is happening. The important thing is to open the door. Document your concern either way.

A sanctuary scheme involves security upgrades to a survivor’s home — such as reinforced doors, locks, or an alarm — to enable them to safely remain in their property when the perpetrator is leaving or has been removed. There is no universal statutory duty to provide a sanctuary scheme, but many local authorities and housing associations operate them as part of their domestic abuse response. If you are unsure whether a scheme is available in your area, get in touch and we can help identify local options.

Yes — and this is important. Domestic abuse can be identified at many points of contact, not just by housing officers. Repairs staff who visit properties, estate management teams, and customer service staff can all play a role. Equation’s training can be tailored for different roles across your organisation.

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 gives courts the power to transfer tenancies from a perpetrator to a survivor. Survivors fleeing domestic abuse also have priority need status for rehousing under the homelessness legislation. In practice, the options depend on the type of tenancy and whether the survivor wishes to remain in the property or move. Equation can support survivors to understand their options, and your legal team can advise on the tenancy position.

In some circumstances, yes — but this needs careful management. Eviction or threatened eviction of a perpetrator can increase risk to the survivor if not handled correctly. You should always consult with a specialist domestic abuse service before taking steps that could escalate the situation. Where there are tenancy breaches linked to abusive behaviour, legal routes including injunctions, warnings, and possession proceedings may be available. Equation can advise on a case-by-case basis.

DAHA (Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance) accreditation is the recognised benchmark for housing providers’ response to domestic abuse. It is not a legal requirement, but it is increasingly expected by the Regulator of Social Housing and by local commissioning bodies. More importantly, it is a structured way to ensure your organisation is genuinely doing right by survivors — not just having a policy, but living it in practice. Equation can support your accreditation journey. See the DAHA section above for more detail.

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