A new web portal was launched in Newport today to help social housing landlords improve their response to domestic abuse for their residents.
The Free From Fear project is a group of housing associations in the Gwent area working to combat domestic abuse and support tenants and employees affected by this.
As part of this, the group launched a new web portal at a conference at Rodney Parade this morning. Although aimed at staff who work with people who are experiencing domestic abuse, anyone can use it.
Bronwen Lloyd, director of community regeneration at Charter Housing, explained: "As a partnership of 12 social landlords, we have developed an online resource for staff who work with people who are experiencing domestic abuse. Although this is initially focused on Gwent, it is a free resource that can be used by partners across Wales.
"This multi-agency partnership approach is helping us to improve the lives and outcomes of people experiencing domestic abuse, with the ultimate aim of aiming of helping anyone experiencing domestic abuse to live free from fear."
Established in 2015, Free From Fear is a partnership between all the registered social landlords in Gwent. Today’s conference in Newport featured guest speakers including Julie James AM, the chief executive of Welsh Women's Aid, Eleri Butler, and Detective Chief Inspector Steven Maloney from Gwent Police.
Newport City Homes' housing services manager Carolyn Prothero said: "No-one should have to suffer from domestic abuse. However, help is available to people who do.
"This toolkit will help us and our partners to improve our responses to supporting victims.
"Free From Fear is based on the belief that no-one should live in fear of violence or abuse from a spouse, partner, former spouse or partner, or another member of their household.
"We will continue to direct victims and their families to the police and relevant professional support agencies. We will also continue to work in partnership with the police, Women’s Aid and other domestic abuse agencies."
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, help and support is available 24 hours, seven days a week. Call 0808 8010 800 or visit the Live Fear Free website.