Melville Housing Association has signed up to a new national campaign to help tackle domestic abuse in communities across central Scotland.

At the heart of the Make a Stand campaign is a pledge developed by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) in partnership with Women’s Aid and the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA).

It consists of four commitments which housing organisations can make to support people that live and work in housing who are experiencing domestic abuse. These are:

1. To put in place and embed a policy to support residents who are experiencing domestic abuse
2. To make information about national and local domestic abuse support services available on your website and in other places which are easily accessible to residents and staff
3. To put in place a HR policy and procedure on domestic abuse, or to incorporate this into an existing policy, to support members of staff who are experiencing domestic abuse
4. Appoint a champion in your organisation to own the activity you are doing to support people experiencing domestic abuse.

“We fully support the Make a Stand campaign, and are delighted to sign the pledge,” said Melville’s property services manager and Make a Stand champion Nancy Booth. “Domestic violence is an appalling crime and one that no one should have to put up with. We will do whatever we can to help victims and would urge everyone else to do the same.”

Alison Inman, CIH president, said: “I’m thrilled that Melville Housing Association has signed the Make a Stand pledge as this could make a very real difference in local communities.

“Domestic abuse is one of the biggest problems we face today. Millions of people are affected and two women a week are being killed by their partner or ex-partner.

“Housing organisations house and employ millions of people and it is our duty to do more to tackle this issue. These are our homes, our people and this is our problem.

“By signing the Make a Stand pledge Melville Housing Association has committed to supporting people in its communities and it is no exaggeration to say that this could save a life.”

Kelly Henderson, co-founder of DAHA, said: “We are very proud to be part of this pledge and commend Melville Housing Association for signing up. We know the housing sector plays a crucial role in recognising and responding to domestic abuse and this pledge is a really easy way to not only demonstrate commitment but also take the first practical steps to improving the response for both staff and residents.”

Katie Ghose, chief executive of Women’s Aid, said: “For thousands of women and children across the country, their home is the most dangerous place they can be.

“By signing up to the Chartered Institute of Housing’s Make a Stand pledge, Melville Housing has sent out a powerful message to survivors of domestic abuse that they are not alone and that there is help and support available to them.”

Make a Stand was launched as part of CIH president Alison Inman’s presidential appeal and Jim Strang has already agreed to continue to support the same cause when he takes the helm in September.

Organisations can sign the Make a Stand pledge on the CIH website and receive a support pack and other information to help them put the commitments in the pledge in place.