Hear from Steph, a member of our Customer Committee on her reflections from the Housing Community Summit and Gentoo's White Ribbon Accreditation
As a member of Gentoo’s Customer Committee, I’ve seen first-hand how our voices can help shape safer, more responsive services. After attending the Housing Community Summit last month I’ve been thinking about how it was a powerful reminder of why this work matters and why Gentoo’s White Ribbon promise is so important.
One of the most thought-provoking sessions I attended was titled: “Grasping the nettle and dealing with the cause of the problem: creating a domestic abuse perpetrator housing response.” The panel brought together some fantastic speakers: Nicki Clarke, Head of Housing at Standing Together Against Domestic Violence; Stephanie Morphew, Policy and Practice Officer at the Chartered Institute of Housing; and Dr Kelly Henderson, Founder and Managing Director at Addressing Domestic Abuse.
What struck me most was the honesty and urgency with which the speakers addressed the realities facing survivors. They shared that a significant number of domestic abuse survivors don’t want to leave their homes. The financial cost of leaving and starting again can be up to £50,000, a staggering sum that’s simply out of reach for many. But it’s not just about money. It’s about keeping children in the same school, holding onto a job, and staying in the community you know and love.
The speakers challenged us to rethink our attitudes to housing perpetrators. Providing temporary or permanent accommodation to a perpetrator isn’t about rewarding bad behaviour, it’s about giving survivors the chance to stay safe in their own homes. Too often, perpetrators use the threat of homelessness to control their victims, making it even harder for survivors to take action.
One statistic really stood out: only 1% of perpetrators of domestic abuse receive any kind of help to address their behaviour. The speakers recommended that, as a condition of housing, perpetrators should attend a behaviour change programme. It’s a practical step, but also a moral one because if we’re serious about ending domestic abuse, we have to tackle its root causes.
Of course, it isn’t always possible or safe to leave a survivor in their home. Risk assessments are vital, and every situation is different. But the message was clear: we need to be bold, compassionate, and willing to try new approaches if we want to make a real difference.
Gentoo’s White Ribbon promise is a public commitment to ending male violence against women and girls. As a Customer Committee member, I’m proud that our organisation is taking a stand not just with words, but with action. By listening to survivors, supporting innovative responses, and holding ourselves accountable, we’re helping to build a future where everyone can feel safe at home.
The Summit reminded me that real change happens when we grasp the nettle, when we face difficult issues head-on and work together for solutions. I’m grateful to be part of a Committee, and a housing provider, that’s willing to do just that.
