Council told to apologise after refusing to rehome domestic abuse victim

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A local council has been told to apologise after refusing to rehome a woman who was at risk of domestic abuse.

Kirklees Council delayed moving the woman for more than a month, despite evidence showing that she was at risk of harm of her former partner, a report by the Local Government Ombudsman found.

The LGO said the delay had caused the woman “avoidable distress and uncertainty”.

Council told to apologise

In the report, the woman who is referred to as Miss X first reported being a victim of domestic abuse from her former partner in May 2023 and said she needed to “move urgently.”

But, according to the BBC, the council did not increase her priority to Band B on the housing waiting list until late June, the report said.

The watchdog found the council “at fault” for this delay and said it should apologise to the woman for the “distress and uncertainty” she suffered. It also said it should offer her a “symbolic” payment of £300.

The council later admitted it should have accepted the woman’s homelessness application, “acknowledged” the findings of the report and said that it had implemented its recommendations.

A Kirklees Council spokesperson said:

“We acknowledge the findings of the Ombudsman and have agreed to implement and complete the actions outlined, within the timeframe set.

“We have also taken the learning from this case in order to bring about service improvements in relation to accepting homelessness applications in the future.

“The council takes reports of domestic abuse seriously. Where this results in someone being unable to remain in their home, they should contact the Housing Solutions Service for further assistance.”

Domestic Abuse – How to make a claim

If you are a survivor of abuse in the past, whether that be sexual abuse or physical assault, you may be entitled to claim compensation for the impact it had upon your health.

A claim can be made for the physical impact to your health but also, an often more importantly, it can also be made for any damage it may have caused to your mental health. Compensation can be claimed for personal injury and also any financial losses you may have suffered as a result of your ill health.

For more information, contact our team today.

Council told to apologise after refusing to rehome domestic abuse victim

A local council has been told to apologise after refusing to rehome a woman who was at risk of domestic abuse.

Domestic Abuse – How to make a claim

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