Case review for victim of domestic violence at odds with council help

A SINGLE mother fleeing domestic violence claims she has been let down by Brentwood Borough Council.

Despite being allocated council accommodation the woman says she has had to move to a women’s refuge after being tracked to the property by a violent ex-partner.

The woman said she cannot stay at council property, but says that Brentwood Borough Council is not listening. She accused it of failing to safeguard her and her children.

The Housing Ombudsman is reviewing the case after complaints from the woman.

She claimed the property the council has allocated allows anyone to access it during certain hours, the doors do not always lock and there is no reliable security in place.

She said: “There have been multiple issues reported. If you had CCTV that was operable you would be able to see the perpetrator entering the property on multiple occasions without my consent.

“I do not feel safe to return to the property with my children and I am constantly being asked to live in fear of my life and my children’s safety and I am expected to struggle with my mental health by your team. I am now requesting urgent intervention and an investigation into my case by an impartial party.”

The council has said that while “it is appreciated there is an ongoing domestic case, this does not appear to be focused in or around the immediate vicinity of the property”.

However, the woman said: “They need to go by the housing allocation policy and go by the law. The laws are there to regulate things like this from happening.”

She added: “I can’t go back there, because it’s not safe. If not for me, the council needs to change for others. There will be mothers who don’t know their rights.”

A Brentwood Borough Council spokesperson said: “We are in regular communication with the individual about her housing options. To support her, we are working with agencies independent from the council to try and find a way forward.”