26/03/2025
Flagship recognised for commitment to tackling domestic abuse
Flagship has been awarded accreditation by the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA), recognising its commitment to improving its response to domestic abuse and providing vital support to survivors.
DAHA sets the UK benchmark for housing providers, and Flagship’s accreditation confirms its commitment to tackling domestic abuse, supporting survivors, and training staff.
Sharon Crosby, Senior Regional Lead at DAHA, praised Flagship’s efforts and said there had been a clear increase in disclosures over the past two years as more survivors feel comfortable seeking support.
She said: “Partner agencies told us Flagship is one of the most helpful housing associations they work with. Survivors consistently reported feeling believed, supported, and—most importantly—safer.”
In 2022, Flagship launched its dedicated domestic abuse service in response to rising demand post-Covid and its commitment to supporting those affected. The service is centred around recognising where support is needed, in turn helping people to access and navigate the services available to them. Since then, the organisation has helped around 1,700 survivors after experiencing abuse from a current or former partner, or another family member.
Victoria Seales, Head of Safer Communities at Flagship, said: “Achieving DAHA accreditation is a proud moment for us, but more importantly, it reinforces our commitment to those experiencing domestic abuse. We want to ensure that anyone facing abuse knows they are not alone and that we are here to help at what can be a very overwhelming time.”
The Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) accreditation awarded to Flagship
Flagship’s Domestic Abuse (DA) Team works with tenants experiencing domestic abuse, providing practical housing-related support and assisting them to access domestic abuse services which can provide ongoing support such as access to legal orders against perpetrators.
Flagship also helps survivors secure safe housing, whether that means target-hardening their current home, finding refuge accommodation, or moving into a new long-term home.
The housing provider has also established a cross-service steering group that brings together teams from community safety, housing, repairs, communications, training, and equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
Victoria added: “We know that domestic abuse doesn’t affect everyone in the same way. That’s why we’ve worked hard to ensure our approach considers additional barriers survivors may face due to race, disability, or other factors. By embedding these changes into our organisation, we can make sure that support is tailored, accessible, and effective.”
“We know that domestic abuse doesn’t affect everyone in the same way. That’s why we’ve worked hard to ensure our approach considers additional barriers survivors may face due to race, disability, or other factors. By embedding these changes into our organisation, we can make sure that support is tailored, accessible, and effective.”
Flagship is also tackling the financial impact of domestic abuse. The organisation has worked closely with income teams recognising the link between abuse and financial hardship, particularly rent arrears and debt. Flagship’s homelessness charity, Hopestead, also plays a key role in supporting those who need help rebuilding their lives after leaving an abusive relationship.
Gemma Cushion, Flagship’s Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Officer, said: “I feel incredibly proud of the service we as an organisation can provide. The work that the domestic abuse officers do is vital to the safety, security and wellbeing of the tenants and families in our homes and achieving our DAHA accreditation further highlights our commitment and dedication as an organisation to tackling domestic abuse and improving the lives of those we support.”
Victoria added that while achieving DAHA accreditation was a significant milestone, Flagship is committed to going further.
She said: “This is about continuous improvement, listening to survivors, and ensuring that every person facing domestic abuse gets the support they need to move forward safely.”
Victoria Seales, Flagship's Head of Safe Communities