Caring for survivors of domestic abuse: love, violence and safe space

Those fleeing domestic violence often have complex and diverse needs but central for all is access to a ‘place of safety’. Caring for victims/survivors is largely predicated on the availability of secure housing but an absence of stock together with competition in the private rented sector has significantly reduced the chances of victims of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) being housed. In this paper, the author explored the ‘cultures of care’ that shape responses to the housing needs of victims/survivors of DVA by those working in housing and other support services, showing that, in an environment of limited resource, an understanding of the experiences and choices of victims/survivors becomes highly significant.