Preventing Homelessness due to Domestic Violence:
Providing a Safe Space or Closing the Door to New
Possibilities?
Gina Netto, Hal Pawson and Cathy Sharp
Abstract
Domestic violence has been recognized as a major contributory factor to homelessness in the UK and
elsewhere, with women more likely to be affected. In the UK and other countries undergoing welfare
reform, moves toward ‘active citizenship’ increase the complexity of the relationship between states
and citizens and open up new strategies for both. However, analysts have noted some strategies can
create new forms of inequality, including gender-based ones. This article considers the impact of
prevention-centred homelessness policy responses to domestic violence, with specific reference to the
‘Sanctuary’ model. Sanctuary schemes support women facing homelessness due to domestic violence
to remain in their current residence, protected against attack from outside the home. Drawing on
analysis of the literature and empirical work, we compare the experiences of women who have used
traditional forms of support and Sanctuary services. We argue that while the model has the potential
to provide greater autonomy to some women in these circumstances, it is not appropriate for all.
Increased emphasis on Sanctuary schemes could make it more difficult for women who might prefer
to move. We conclude that more attention needs to be paid to addressing the origin of women’s
homelessness due to domestic violence.
Keywords
Domestic violence; Homelessness; Prevention; Sanctuary; Housing; Gender
Introduction
Both in the UK and elsewhere, domestic violence has long been recognized as
a major contributory factor to homelessness (Evans and Duncan ; Shinn
et al. ; Spinney , ). Although such abuse is sometimes perpe-
trated against men, women are far more likely to be victims and to report
consequential loss of accommodation (Davis ; Housing Corporation
). Analysts have noted that homelessness policy responses to such women
Address for correspondence: Gina Netto, School of the Built Environment, Heriot Watt University,
Riccarton Campus, Edinburgh, EH AS. Email: g.netto@hw.ac.uk
S P &A 0144–5596
DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9515.2009.00691.x
V. 43, N. 7, D 2009, . 719–735
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