The Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) has recognised Cambridge City Council’s work with its tenants, employees, and the public in tackling domestic abuse with a formal accreditation.

The Council, the largest housing provider in Cambridge, recently made an effort to improve its policies by providing training to staff and making it easier for council tenants to disclose they are being abused. Taxi drivers in the city are also required to attend training on how to protect their customers.

DAHA, a partnership between three agencies specialising in domestic abuse, was launched in 2014 and aims to “improve the housing sector’s response to domestic abuse through the introduction and adoption of an established set of standards and an accreditation process”.

Development Manager at DAHA, Sharon Crosby, said the changes have led to “positive outcomes” and she looks forward to “working with other housing providers in Cambridgeshire to improve the housing sector’s response to domestic abuse”.

Before receiving the award, councils are visited by DAHA inspectors who conduct interviews and review the procedures in place for dealing with cases of abuse.

The Council is the fifth local authority in the UK to be recognised.

Nicky Massey, Executive Councillor for Transport and Community Safety, praised the work, and explained the Council will continue to fight violence at home.

“We are very proud to receive this accreditation from the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance, but we will not be content until domestic abuse has been completely eradicated, as no one should have to suffer in this way,” he said.

“The DAHA accreditation is just part of the work we are doing and will continue to do alongside our partners, to protect some of the most vulnerable people in our community.”

Domestic violence related homicide is at its highest level in five years, according to the latest date, with 173 people killed in 2018.