Following research which found that many people who experience domestic violence are at serious risk of homelessness, the APPGEH inquiry session will look into how to prevent survivors of domestic violence from becoming homeless. As there is not much statutory policy or guidance to protect domestic violence survivors, the inquiry session intends to showcase best practice from a panel of experts and people who have experienced domestic violence and homelessness themselves to MPs to highlight policy gaps and develop workable strategies.
Lou Crisfield specialises in housing law and has experience of cases involving domestic abuse. She has been a management committee member of Tower Hamlets Women’s Aid and has written and delivered a number or training courses on housing rights and domestic abuse. She will be joined as a witness at the inquiry by:
- Sarah Newton, MP and Minister for Vulnerability, Safeguarding and Countering Extremism;
- Polly Neate, Chief Executive of Women’s Aid;
- Jonathan Joseph, Assessment Manager at London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham; and
- domestic abuse survivor Tanya Pinnock.
Lou said, ‘Over 35 per cent of females who sleep rough in the UK are known to have left home due to domestic abuse, and so it is vitally important that the issue of domestic violence and homelessness is addressed. I am honoured to have been invited to share my experience on the panel and hope to be able to contribute to the development of strategies to prevent domestic violence survivors from becoming homeless.’
For more information on the APPGEH inquiry, please email appg@crisis.org.uk.
For information on domestic abuse, homelessness or any other housing issue, please contact Lou Crisfield on 020 7426 0400 or email lc@milesandpartners.com.
This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please note that the law may have changed since the date this article was published. You should always take legal advice relating to your particular circumstances.
