Date published: 19 February 2026
A new report from Brighton & Hove City Council and leading affordable housing provider, Stonewater, reveals that nearly 600 domestic abuse survivors were provided with specialist support in and around Brighton across 2024/25.
The report, titled Safe Haven by the Sea: One Year On, reflects on what has changed since the initial study took place in 2024 and looks into how survivors access safe housing.
It highlights significant local improvements that have taken place since the first report was published, including domestic abuse specialists now being integrated into all temporary housing risk assessments, improving victim safety when placing them into homes. Refuge Champions have also been introduced across Brighton’s housing services, establishing direct connections between domestic abuse survivors and local housing teams.
594 individuals were supported across 2024/25 in and around the city, through the strong offering to local people needing specialist assistance from trained housing staff. The creation of specific roles to support LGBTQ+ survivors, Black and minority women, as well as those with disabilities, has meant that support has been able to reach a wider proportion of individuals.
However, the report also warns that older women have said that they continue to feel ‘invisible’, often falling through the cracks between domestic abuse and older persons’ housing services. Some women have reported difficulties in securing appropriate accommodation or in navigating complex housing pathways that do not reflect their specific needs.
Nicola Lambe, Head of Specialist Services at Stonewater, said: “It’s encouraging to see the positive changes that have taken place across Brighton and Hove over the last 12 months, following the initial Safe Haven by the Sea report. Hundreds of individuals have been supported on a local level by newly created services and teams to help secure safe homes for abuse victims.
“The most recent report has been essential in providing up to date insight into how specific groups of domestic abuse survivors can be supported to ensure their needs are met. Looking ahead, we’ll be working to adapt housing strategies to make sure tailored support is provided to marginalised groups and those disproportionately affected.”
Councillor Sam Parrott, lead member on violence against women and girls at Brighton & Hove City Council, said: “I’m very proud that last year we were able to work with our partners to provide the much-needed specialist housing support to 594 residents, who bravely reached out to us after experiencing abuse.
“It is encouraging to see our support for these survivors improve, and essential that we continue to expand our offering as well as working alongside partners and survivors, so no one feels like they’re left behind and alone in their suffering.
“Introducing an enhanced housing pathway for domestic abuse survivors has been essential in helping families and individuals get into settled temporary housing and then move forward with a more secure future.
“As a local authority, we are committed to following our VAWG strategy, to hearing the voices of people with lived experiences and embedding trauma-informed thinking across the entire organisation.”
Some key recommendations from the report include the introduction of dedicated housing support for older women, expanding LGBTQ+ and culturally appropriate accommodation and embedding domestic abuse awareness into private rented sector work and housing allocation policies.
Click on the title for the full Safe Haven by the Sea: One Year On report.
