Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence

Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT) believes that no tenant should live in fear of violence from a spouse or partner, former spouse or partner or other member of their household and will assist and support any person suffering from or threatened with violence.

If you are experiencing domestic violence contact us or ask another agency to contact us on your behalf. Outside office hours contact the Police or Knowsley Domestic Violence Support Services (phone number below).

We will interview you in private and in confidence but may have to contact other agencies with your permission. We will investigate fairly any claims of domestic violence, you do not have to provide proof of violence.

If you do not feel safe going home we can arrange for temporary accommodation for you and look to offering alternative long term accommodation. We will also consider evicting the wrongdoer if they are living in a KHT property. We will also install extra security measures if you return home.

We will keep your case under review until both you and we feel it has been resolved satisfactorily.

Service standards
We will interview you within one working day of making a report of domestic violence

Useful telephone numbers:

Knowsley Domestic Violence Support Services      0151 548 3333
Police Domestic Violence Unit      0151 777 6387
Womens Aid National Helpline      0845 702 3468
Refuge National Helpline      0808 20000 247
Victim Support National Helpline     0845 303 0900
Male only helpline      01744 621 119

Racial Harassment

A racist incident is one that the victim or anyone else regards as racist. Racial harassment includes physical attacks on people and property, verbal abuse and generally any form of behaviour that stops people peacefully enjoying their home on grounds of their race.

Racial harassment is a crime we will not tolerate. We aim to eliminate all forms of harassment and will deal with it promptly, fairly and sensitively. We will investigate all incidents of harassment with the aim of preventing the threat of further harassment, supporting the complainant and taking decisive action against the alleged wrongdoer.

If you complain of harassment, we will:
• investigate every incident as a priority
• provide support and refer you to specialist agencies where necessary
• do repairs and remove graffiti as quickly as possible where necessary
• review security around your home where necessary
• arrange temporary or permanent re-housing if you need it
• take action against wrongdoers
• support you and any witnesses.

You can report harassment by visiting a KHT office, on the phone, by letter or via a third party such as the police.

We will interview you in a private interview room or at home and keep details confidential. If your case is particularly serious we will pass it to our Tenancy Enforcement Unit who specialise in investigating racial harassment and anti social behaviour.

We will investigate and work with other agencies such as the police as appropriate. We will keep you informed throughout the investigation.

The action taken against wrongdoers will depend on circumstances and your wishes but can include warnings, eviction injunctions and anti social behaviour orders.

We will keep you case under review until you and we feel that it has been resolved satisfactorily.

Service standards
We will interview you the same day if you attend a KHT office. We will also make an appointment with you by the end of the next working day if you report the incident by a third party, phone or letter.


Adaptations
You may need adaptations to your home to make it easier to manage and more suitable to your needs. An adaptation can be a piece of specialist equipment, an extra fitting, or a minor alteration to your home. Adaptations include grab rails, walk in showers, lever taps etc

We will not usually carry out an adaptation if:

• You are on the transfer list
• The work is not technically possible
• The cost is unreasonably high
  

You cannot apply directly to us for an Adaptation. Requests must come via Knowsley Council’s Occupational Therapist or another specialist organisation such as the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNI ) or Age Concern.

Service standards

• We will complete Priority 1 major adaptation work within 28 days of receiving a request from social services
• We will complete Priority 2 major adaptation work within 2 years of receiving a request from social services
• All major adaptation work (*except extension work) will be completed within 10 working days of starting. At the outset, we will tell you how long it will take
• Within 10 working days of receiving an occupational therapist’s recommendation, we will contact each person who needs a major adaptation in their home. The letter will confirm what work we will do and say when it will be completed.