Gambling Harms & Domestic Abuse: A Resource for Housing Professionals
Authors: Mercy Denedo, Kathryn Brookfield, Amanze Ejiogu, Chibuzo Ejiogu, Kelly Henderson and Liz Riley
This resource supports frontline housing professionals in recognising and responding to cases of domestic abuse and gambling harms among their tenants. Developed through research and co-design with practitioners and women with lived experience, it provides practical guidance to reduce housing instability for victim-survivors.

Bookmark Panel

Go direct to the section you require……………………………………………………………… Biographies & Contact Information Acknowledgements & Project Resources Foreword Introduction Using this Resource Language & Definitions Background Legislative & Regulatory Frameworks Recognise: Identifying Signs of Harm Recognise: Professional Curiosity in Practice Recognise: Case Studies Respond: Creating a Safe, Trauma-Informed Response Respond: Disclosures, Cultural Awareness & Risk Assessment Respond: Case Studies Refer: Connecting Women to Specialist Support Refer: Case Studies Key Takeaways: The Refer Stage Key Organisations Legal Information Further Reading & References

Author Biographies & Contact Information

Dr Mercy Denedo — Durham University

Find out more about Mercy Associate Professor of Accounting at Durham University Business School. Her research adopts a critical perspective to examine social and environmental issues, with a particular focus on housing inequalities, social injustice, environmental harms and accountability. She is a co-author of several impactful reports, including Stigma in Social Housing in England; Stigma in Social Housing in England: Feedback on the Consultation Responses; Challenging Stigma in Social Housing – The Tackling Stigma Journey Planner; and The Tackling Social Housing Stigma Journey Planner – Pioneer Travellers Case Studies and Learning Points. She also co-developed the Tackling the Stigma Journey Planner, a framework widely used across the housing sector to address stigma associated with social housing.

Dr Kathryn Brookfield — University of Nottingham

Find out more about Katy Assistant Professor of Criminology at the University of Nottingham. Katy is an early-career academic, having completed her PhD in Social Work at the University of Nottingham in July 2025. Her research is primarily focused on women’s experiences of technology-facilitated domestic abuse in the UK, with a specific interest in how being under digital surveillance by an intimate partner shapes women’s interactions with support services. Before re-entering academia, Katy spent time working in the Higher Education sector, developing support mechanisms for student survivors of domestic and sexual violence and abuse.

Professor Amanze Ejiogu — Sheffield Hallam University

Find out more about Amanze Professor of Accounting, Society and Accountability at Sheffield Hallam University. His research focuses on how accounting is involved in making social inequalities and injustices visible and in shaping solutions to them, and has explored issues around housing inequality, human trafficking and environmental injustice. He is a co-author of the Stigma in Social Housing in England report and co-developed the Tackling the Stigma Journey Planner, a framework used by the housing sector in addressing stigma associated with social housing. He is currently a board member of Solace Housing Association and has previously been a board member of other housing associations in England and Scotland.

Dr Chibuzo Ejiogu — Cranfield University

Find out more about Chibuzo Reader in Human Resource Management. Dr. Chibuzo Ejiogu is a Reader in Human Resource Management at Cranfield University. His research promotes critical, ethical and interdisciplinary perspectives in understanding interconnections between society, organisations and people at work and out of work. This includes a focus on the impact of multiple insecurities and vulnerabilities on wellbeing, lives and livelihoods. His research interests include sustainability, business ethics and corporate social responsibility (CSR) and how these relate to organisational, leadership, governance and policy challenges. His previous research has included projects on modern slavery, human trafficking, social housing, decent work, and regulatory and institutional change. He utilises art-based and participatory research methods to explore and articulate a range of voices and lived experiences.

Dr Kelly Henderson — Addressing Domestic Abuse

Find out more about Kelly Co-Managing Director of Addressing Domestic Abuse, which carries out research, evaluation, training and policy development related to domestic abuse and housing. Kelly co-founded the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA), which delivers accreditation and supporting housing providers to improve their responses to domestic abuse. She is a qualified Domestic Abuse Related Death Review Chair and has worked across the Housing sector and in academia on domestic abuse-related research and projects. Named 24Housing’s ‘Housing Professional of the Year’, Kelly also co-authored Housing and Domestic Abuse – Policy into Practice (Routledge). She is experienced in partnership working and project management, including leading the Home Office-funded DAWSA project across multiple police forces and overseeing national research into perpetrator interventions. Kelly is a Non-Executive Director of Believe Housing.

Dr Liz Riley — Betknowmore UK

Find out more about Liz Dr Liz Riley served as a co-investigator in this research project. She is Head of Research and Evaluation at Betknowmore UK, a charity that supports people experiencing gambling harms. For Betknowmore UK, Liz has led projects exploring women’s gambling harms, support needs and the effectiveness of peer support groups. She has been part of NIHR-funded research led by King’s College on a gambling screening question for adult social services, three Howard League-funded projects on crime and gambling harms, and Ipsos and ClearView research on gambling harms in minority communities. She was also a co-investigator on a Brunel University project researching gambling harms among people on probation, funded by the Bristol Hub for Gambling Harms Research.

Acknowledgements & Project Resources

The research team would like to thank the many people who participated in this research, including the members of the Research Advisory Board, stakeholders from housing, domestic abuse, gambling harms and other sectors, and especially the women with lived experience who took part. Their experiences are at the heart of this research.

Our appreciation also goes to the practitioners, academics, and women with lived experience who participated in the roundtable discussions, as well as those who provided written comments on the earliest draft of the resource. Your candid feedback has helped shape this report and accompanying materials. We are sincerely grateful for your support. Preliminary findings from this project were presented at various fora, including the Chartered Institute of Housing Conference (Brighton, 2025); the Victims’ Conference organised by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham and Darlington (2025); the European Conference on Domestic Violence (Barcelona, 2025); the National ASB Conference (Nottingham, 2025); the Housing Studies Annual Conference (Sheffield, 2025); the GEM Programme (Leeds, 2025); and the Gambling Commission Spring Conference (Birmingham, 2026). We are grateful for the feedback received from participants at these events. We are immensely grateful to Poplar HARCA for generously providing their community centre in London for the roundtable discussion, and to Simona Montvilaite, Chelsea Kelly, and their staff for hosting the event. Their team created a welcoming and conducive environment at the workshop. Finally, we are grateful to Louise Murphy and Katie Comozzi, MBS Solicitors, for their legal contributions to this project.

1
Funding
This research was funded by the Gambling Commission through its Regulatory Settlements Applied for Socially Responsible Purposes Fund. The research team are grateful to the Gambling Commission for the support provided.
2
Resources
As part of this research project, a resource for social housing providers was co-produced to enable them to better support people experiencing domestic abuse and gambling harms.
3
Project Website
dagamblingharms.co.uk — full report, toolkit and podcast series.
4
Podcasts
A series of five podcasts supporting this resource are available on YouTube and Addressing Domestic Abuse (ADA).
5
Contact
Any correspondence about the project, the resources, or the podcast series should be sent to the authors @ dagamblingharmsproject@gmail.com

Denedo, M., Brookfield, K., Ejiogu, A., Ejiogu, C., Henderson, K. and Riley, L. (2026). Gambling Harms and Domestic Abuse: A focus on women and their housing. Durham University, University of Nottingham, Sheffield Hallam University, Cranfield University, Addressing Domestic Abuse, and Betknowmore UK.
Foreword
This toolkit, developed through comprehensive research and cooperation with the housing sector, demystifies this issue that can destabilise households, inflict trauma, burden people with debt and place some at risk of homelessness when signs are unrecognised and unsupported.
Housing professionals are central to supporting the safety, stability and wellbeing of communities – often acting as the only consistent touchpoint with households and are therefore uniquely positioned to understand their circumstances. However, some of the elements that can undermine the ability to sustain a tenancy remain poorly understood. The interplay between gambling harms and domestic abuse is one such area.  
By using this research to broaden our understanding of the relationship between gambling harms and domestic abuse, we contribute to a growing shift away from viewing gambling as a behavioural failing, and towards a public-health-based perspective. This shift in lens has the potential to transform how we respond to the financial distress faced by these households and the trauma they may experience because of them. 
Thank you to the authors for their diligence and passion and to those who gave their time to share their lived experience so that we could learn from them. 
Stephanie Morpheh, Chartered Institute of Housing
Introduction
Every day, frontline housing professionals have a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people experiencing domestic abuse and gambling harms. This resource equips you with the knowledge and confidence to recognise the signs, respond with care, and connect tenants to the right support — helping to prevent housing instability and protect victim-survivors. While the focus is on intimate partner relationships and women, the insights here are equally relevant for male victim-survivors and those affected by family-member abuse or gambling harms.

Key Facts: Domestic Abuse
  • 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime (Sardinha et al, 2022)
  • On average, a woman makes 7 attempts to leave an abusive partner (Refuge, 2017)
  • In 2025, women were victims in 72.1% of domestic abuse-related crimes (ONS, 2025)
  • 69.6% of domestic homicide victims were female (ONS, 2025)
  • 1.53 women on average are killed each week by a current or former partner (Femicide Census, 2025)
  • 71% of domestic homicides occur in the victim's home (Femicide Census, 2025)

Key Facts: Gambling
  • Men are more likely to gamble online riskily (21% vs 12% for women, excl. lotteries)
  • 3.5% of men vs 1.7% of women experience at least one severe gambling consequence per year (Gambling Commission, 2024)
  • 5.6% of women report gambling has led to reduced spending on everyday items (Gambling Commission, 2025)
  • 4.9% who admit to lying to family members about their gambling,
  • Between 6 and 10 people are affected by someone else's gambling — intimate partners are the most impacted (Citizens' Advice, 2018)
See full report for more information
Using this resource
This resource provides definitions and terminology related to domestic abuse and gambling, offering background and context on these issues. It outlines the legislative and regulatory framework surrounding them and focuses on practical guidance to support victim-survivors. In addition, the resource includes two case studies that illustrate different stages of the journey. The toolkit is organised around three core areas
Language & Definitions
This section outlines the key definitions and terminology used throughout the resource to help housing professionals understand domestic abuse and gambling, particularly their effects on women's housing security.
Domestic Abuse
Part 1 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 defines domestic abuse as:
The behaviour of a person (“A”) towards another person (“B”) is “domestic abuse” if:
(a) A and B are each aged 16 or over and are personally connected to each other, and
(b) The behaviour is abusive.
Behaviour is “abusive” if it consists of any of the following—
(a) physical or sexual abuse;
(b) violent or threatening behaviour;
(c) controlling or coercive behaviour;
(d) economic abuse (see subsection (4));
(e) psychological, emotional or other abuse;
and it does not matter whether the behaviour consists of a single incident or a course of conduct.
“Economic abuse” means any behaviour that has a substantial adverse effect on B’s ability to—
(a) acquire, use or maintain money or other property, or
(b) obtain goods or services.
Gambling Harms
Gambling harms are negative outcomes resulting from gambling which cause harm to the individual engaged in the gambling or those around them. This could include, but is not limited to, financial and economic harm, emotional and psychological harm, relationship harm and physical health harm. The point at which gambling becomes harmful will be different for every individual.
Gambling-Related Domestic Abuse
The term “gambling-related domestic abuse” describes situations in which a perpetrator of domestic abuse also engages in gambling. The abusive behaviour may either have existed before the gambling started, or it may have developed as a result of the gambling activities.
Gambling-related domestic abuse can encompass a wide range of abusive behaviours, including psychological and emotional abuse, financial and economic abuse, coercive control, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. Some of these abusive actions may be directly linked to the perpetrator’s gambling. For instance, they may seek money to gamble, react violently when interrupted during gambling, or display aggression following a financial loss. However, other forms of abuse may not be related to gambling and could be part of a broader pattern of coercive control.
Domestic Abuse-Related Gambling
The term ‘domestic abuse-related gambling’ refers to cases where victim-survivors of domestic abuse are engaging in gambling behaviours due to previous or ongoing abuse. There are many reasons victim-survivors of domestic abuse may gamble, but some of the most common reasons are as a means of mentally or emotionally escaping their situation and the abuse, or because they are trying to access financial resources which will allow them to care for children or escape the abuse. These gambling behaviours can become harmful to the victim-survivor and others in their lives, including their children, family, friends, and future partners.
Affected Other(s)
The term “affected other” refers to individuals who are impacted by someone else’s harmful gambling behaviour. This can include people who are directly connected to the gambler, such as a partner or children, as well as those in their broader social network, like parents, grandparents, or friends.
Background
Experiencing gambling-related domestic abuse or domestic abuse-related gambling can have serious and wide-reaching consequences for women and their families.
Harmful gambling, whether it’s the individual’s own gambling or their partner’s, can lead to women losing access to safe and stable housing. When women do not feel safe disclosing what they are experiencing or when support is not provided in a timely manner, they may become homeless.
Impact on Children
Children in households with domestic abuse are recognised as victims even if they have not directly witnessed the abuse.
The financial instability caused by gambling can deprive children of essential needs, such as stable housing, nutritious food, and appropriate clothing for different seasons. As a result, they may spend extended periods in temporary accommodations. Long-term consequences may also arise, such as a lack of savings for driving lessons, further education, or future housing deposits, money that may have been taken by their parent to fund gambling activities.
The parents of women experiencing gambling-related domestic abuse may also be significantly affected. Many parents will try to support their daughters and grandchildren financially, often at great personal cost. In severe cases, these financial pressures can result in women’s parents losing their own housing and becoming homeless themselves.
Intersectionality
Intersectionality explains how different parts of a person’s identity, such as their gender, ethnicity, nationality, and disability…
…overlap in ways that can multiply disadvantage and discrimination. It recognises that people can hold multiple identities at once, and that these combined factors shape their experiences, opportunities, and access to resources. When these identities intersect, they can compound the oppression and barriers a person faces.
Women who are already marginalised, including disabled women, women from minoritised ethnic backgrounds, and women with insecure immigration status, are at greater risk of experiencing gambling-related domestic abuse, domestic abuse-related gambling, and housing insecurity. Their overlapping identities can limit access to support, increase vulnerability, and heighten the impact of both abuse and financial abuse.
The wider cost-of-living crisis also places additional pressure on many women. Rising living costs and affordability challenges can make it harder for women to sustain a tenancy, particularly when domestic abuse or gambling harms are present. In response, many housing providers are strengthening support for tenants through Money Matters Teams or Income Maximisation Teams, helping households navigate financial strain and reduce the risk of homelessness.
Legislative & Regulatory Frameworks
Social (Housing) Regulation Act (2023)
Introduced proactive consumer regulation via new Consumer Standards (in force April 2024). Providers must demonstrate how they respond to domestic abuse under the Neighbourhood and Community Standard, including working collaboratively with other agencies and ensuring tenants can access appropriate support.
Domestic Abuse Act (2021)
Part 4 (s.57) places a duty on local authorities to assess need for accommodation-based support, publish a strategy, and monitor its effectiveness. The Act also gives eligible homeless victims of domestic abuse automatic 'priority need' for homelessness assistance and protects secure tenancies when rehousing victim-survivors.
NICE Guidelines (2025)
NICE published Gambling-related harms: identification, assessment and management in 2025, covering identification, assessment and treatment of gambling-related harms for people aged 18+, and those affected by someone close to them. Useful background for housing professionals.
Full guidelines

www.nice.org.uk

Overview | Gambling-related harms: identification, assessment and management | Guidance | NICE

This guideline covers identifying, assessing and treating gambling-related harms. This includes people aged 18 and over who are experiencing gambling that harms, and people of any age affected by someone close to them who is experiencing gambling that harms

Required Outcomes (Consumer Standards)

Registered providers must work collaboratively with other agencies addressing domestic abuse and ensure tenants can access appropriate support and advice. In addition to this outcome, the standards set out specific expectations that providers must meet.

Recognise: Identifying Signs of Harm
Many clients will not disclose domestic abuse or gambling harms directly which could be due to shame, fear, or not recognising their experience as harmful. Staff must be professionally curious: asking open, non-judgmental questions, listening actively, and recognise that the absence of disclosure does not mean the absence of harm.
I would just say, it’s that moment sometimes, for a person. They might have had to deal with all of that on their own, but it is that moment that, if people had acknowledged or seen or just asked me a few more questions about what had happened in my life or just anything, they might have then found out. Because part of it was coerced by him, all of it was. That was never acknowledged, and that left me in a financial hole for a long, long time.
Kate (participant with lived experience)

An open and non-judgemental question is one that invites a detailed, unrestricted response, allowing the person to answer in their own words rather than choosing from predefined options.
Signs of Domestic Abuse
Here are some examples:
  • Anxiety, low mood, self-harm or suicidal thoughts
  • Social isolation and restricted behaviours
  • Decline in clothing quality or general health
  • Cuts, bruising or other injuries
  • High levels of digital contact from partner
  • Damage to property (holes in walls/doors)
  • Social isolation and restricted behaviours
  • Decline in clothing quality or general health
  • Cuts, bruising or other injuries
  • High levels of digital contact from partner
  • Damage to property (holes in walls/doors)
Signs of Gambling Harms
Here are some examples:
  • Non-payment of rent; use of payday loans or loan sharks
  • Large numbers of scratch cards or betting slips
  • Selling personal items; no food in the home
  • Gambling transactions on bank statements
  • No heat; running out of gas/electricity on prepaid cards
  • Loss of items of value (jewellery, devices, consoles)

The presence of these signs does not provide definitive proof. Many indicators overlap and can point to other issues including substance misuse, mental ill health, or criminal exploitation. Further exploration is always essential.
Recognise: Professional Curiosity in Practice
Maintenance staff, contractors and those carrying out annual gas or electrical safety checks may be the only professionals to enter a tenant's home that year — making their observations especially valuable. Repair records, including emergency or repeat repairs, can highlight patterns indicating domestic abuse.
Frontline professionals must be able to recognise early warning signs, remain open‑minded, and identify when something may be wrong. Taking concerns seriously at an early stage allows for timely, sensitive intervention and can significantly reduce the risk of harm.
I work full-time. I’ve worked since I left school. I don’t want to not pay my rent. I don’t want to be homeless. I just needed - I just felt like screaming, someone, just help me. Just help me. Tell me what to do.
Kimberly (participant with lived experience).
Non-Payment of Rent
May signal gambling harms or financial abuse. The perpetrator may be taking the victim-survivor's salary, preventing access to bank accounts, or coercing them to take out loans. Research from Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) suggests 95% of women experience financial abuse as part of domestic abuse.
Partial Disclosures
Listen carefully for subtle hints: "I can't...", "My partner doesn't like it when...", "He says I'm hopeless with money, so he handles it all." These statements may signal fear, restricted autonomy or coercive control, and should prompt gentle, sensitive exploration.
It is important to listen very carefully for these ‘partial disclosures’, as they can provide subtle and early indicators that domestic abuse and/or gambling harms are present. Women may mention struggling financially, feeling stressed at home, or share that they are experiencing difficulties in their relationship. Staff should be alert to comments that hint at power imbalances, financial control, or coercive behaviour, such as:
“I can’t…”
“My partner doesn’t like it when…”
“He says I’m hopeless with money, so he handles it all.”
“It’s best if you speak to me—my partner can be difficult.”
These statements may appear casual or indirect, but they can signal that something more serious is happening beneath the surface. These kinds of statements may signal fear, restricted autonomy, or coercive control, and should prompt gentle, sensitive exploration.
Tenancy Notices with Arrears
When a tenant serves notice while arrears are present, sensitively explore underlying causes. Women may feel they have no choice but to end their tenancy because they are unaware of available support. This can contribute to homelessness.
Gambling
It will not always be obvious that either the perpetrator or the victim-survivors are gambling. Below are signs that the perpetrator or victim-survivor may be gambling.
· non-payment of rent
· decline in personal condition
· large numbers of scratch cards and betting slips in the house
· use of payday loans or loan sharks
· selling personal items
· unopened post in the house
· no food in the home
· gambling transactions on bank statements
· no heat, running out of gas and electricity when using prepaid cards
· decline in the state of the property
· loss of items of value (e.g. jewellery, devices, consoles).

Professional curiosity can and should be applied in all interactions with tenants. It is a communication skill that involves exploring and seeking to understand what may be happening by asking open, non-judgmental questions, listening actively, and keeping an open mind. It means avoiding assumptions, not taking information at face value, and recognising that the absence of a direct disclosure does not mean the absence of harm.
Staff should listen carefully to how women describe their situation, as disclosures are not always direct. Women may feel ashamed, fear the consequences of speaking openly, or be unsure how their concerns will be received. As a result, they might offer only subtle hints that something is wrong rather than stating it outright.

It should never be assumed that women experiencing domestic abuse will present with physical signs of the abuse, as not all domestic abuse involves physical violence.
Housing staff should be aware that non-payment of rent may be a visible sign that a family is struggling with gambling harms, and/or that there is domestic abuse occurring, and that further investigation is required to understand why rent is not being paid.
Rather than assuming non‑payment is a simple financial issue, staff should explore the reasons behind it so that appropriate support can be offered.
You’re well aware of what’s happening by this point. You have no control of what’s coming next. So, it was like I say, it was almost standing at the cliff edge and thinking, well, I can’t, I don’t even have the powers to walk away from this at this point. It’s just going to be waiting for the next thing that’s going to come through or going to happen.
Nicola (participant with lived experience)
Recognise: Case Studies
Mina
Mina has been a tenant for 8 years. A year ago, her partner Jai moved into her home. There had been no prior issues with the tenancy, and she appeared happy there. Over the last year some rent arrears have been accruing and then intermittently they will be paid off in full. The electrician attends the property to carry out the annual electrical safety check.
She has been to the property a few times. Usually there are no issues in gaining access but this year several appointments have been made and then no one was in. When the electrician accesses the property, she notices that the property is quite bare compared to previous times she has been there. The TV and games console are no longer there, and the rooms have little furniture. Mina’s car is usually parked outside but is not there. She advises the electrician she can park there as she no longer has her car.
The electrician feels that something isn’t not quite right, so they refer their concerns to the Neighbourhood Team on the agreed template. When the Neighbourhood Team carry out checks, they notice that several plastering repairs had been carried out at the property over the last few months as well as the increasing rent arrears.
Sarah
Adesua works in an Income Recovery team for a social housing provider. She has identified that a tenant, Sarah, is behind on her rent. Adesua reaches out to Sarah, and eventually, Sarah calls Adesua back. Sarah is apologetic and explains that she is currently experiencing some personal difficulties which have left her unable to pay her rent.
Sarah sounds stressed and mentions feeling like everything is going wrong for her. Adesua senses that Sarah may need some additional help and suggests that Sarah comes into the offices for a face-to-face meeting, so that they can discuss what is happening and where Sarah may be able to access some support from.
Identifying Perpetrators vs Victim-Survivors
Sometimes it can be difficult to identify who is the perpetrator and who is the victim-survivor in cases of domestic abuse. The perpetrator may present themselves to services as the victim, as a means of furthering their control over the victim. This tactic is known as DARVO (deny, attack, and reverse victim and offender).
Equally, victims of domestic abuse may sometimes present themselves as perpetrators of abuse. They may have been convinced by their abuser that they are the ones causing harm. For example, victims of gambling-related domestic abuse may be accused of financial control by their partner, if they try to prevent them from accessing the funds with which to gamble.
Women who are engaging in domestic abuse-related gambling may also be using harmful behaviours towards a new partner, such as creating coerced debt to finance their gambling. Behaviours may or may not have reached the threshold for abuse, and it may be that women and their new partner both require support around experiences of being a victim of domestic abuse.
In cases where it is more difficult to identify the perpetrator and the victim-survivor, professionals should consider power dynamics within the relationship. For example, who holds more power and privilege within the relationship based on factors such as access to resources, financial and economic stability, and personal characteristics (e.g. gender, ethnicity, citizenship)? However, it is not your job as a housing professional to come to a definitive conclusion about who the perpetrator and who the victim-survivor is, or who the primary perpetrator and primary victim-survivor is if these identities overlap. If you are unsure, you should refer all parties to domestic abuse services, if they consent to a referral. Specialist domestic abuse services are highly skilled in identifying victim-survivors, and perpetrators who are wrongfully claiming to be victim-survivors of domestic abuse. These services can also support women who have previously been victims of domestic abuse, and who may now be using harmful or abusive behaviours towards a new partner because of domestic abuse-related gambling.
Respond: Creating a Safe, Trauma-Informed Response
Women impacted by gambling harms are particularly unlikely to ask for help, with data from the Gambling Commission (2025) showing that just 0.8% of women who gambled had contacted gambling support services. A sensitive, trauma‑informed response can make the difference between someone accessing life‑changing support— or retreating from help altogether.
If a woman is met with a dismissive response the first time she discloses, it could be months or years before she feels able to reach out again. Data from the Gambling Commission (2025) shows that just 0.8% of women who gambled had contacted gambling support services — highlighting how unlikely women are to seek help without a sensitive, trauma-informed response.
Visibility
Ensure your organisation's commitment to supporting those affected by domestic abuse and gambling harms is clearly visible. Provide accessible materials outlining internal and external sources of support.
Safe Environment
Conversations must always take place in private — never in the presence of a partner or children. Never signal in advance that the discussion will focus on domestic abuse or gambling, as this could put the woman at greater risk.
Trauma-Informed Practice
Recognise when someone may be affected by trauma. Work collaboratively to make adjustments that support recovery. Calm, respectful communication creates safety and trust — frustration or judgement will shut down disclosure.
Conversation Starters
Try open-ended questions: "How are things at home?" or "How do you and your partner manage money in your household?" Financial questions like "Do you have access to enough money for what you need?" are often less intimidating than asking directly about gambling.
Respond: Disclosures, Cultural Awareness & Risk Assessment
If a woman makes a disclosure, thank her for trusting you and ask what she would like to happen next. Never pressure her to report to the police or end her relationship if she is not ready. Reassure her she can return at any time and, where possible, maintain contact with a single, consistent member of staff.
Being Culturally & Linguistically Aware
Women from different cultural or religious backgrounds may face additional barriers to disclosure.
In some communities, gambling may carry religious stigma (e.g. haram in Islam). Women from honour-based or closed communities may fear family rejection. Always offer an independent translator — never use family members or friends. Translation apps are a last resort only.
Assessing Risk: DASH RIC
The DASH RIC combines structured questions with professional judgement to identify standard, medium or high risk. A score of 14+ typically indicates high risk and referral to MARAC. However, professional judgement should always override the score where extreme fear, cultural barriers or language barriers are present. Key DASH questions to explore gambling links: Q4 (isolation), Q5 (depression/suicidal thoughts), Q10 (escalation), Q12 (financial control), Q20 (financial issues), Q21 (substance/mental health issues).
You have no control of what's coming next... it was almost standing at the cliff edge and thinking, I don't even have the powers to walk away from this at this point.
Nicola (participant with lived experience)
Resources: www.chayn.co (multilingual DA resources) | karmanirvana.org.uk (honour-based abuse)
Respond: Case Studies
Mina
Once the Neighbourhood Team have gathered all the information they feel something isn’t quite right. The Housing Officer phones Mina and makes an appointment for her to attend the office to discuss her rent account.
Housing Officer Louisa and Mina meet in a comfortable, private interview room where Louisa asks if everything is OK. Mina says everything is fine but that she has been having some issues with money, which was why the rent account was not always up to date. She mentions that she is hopeless with money, so Jai has taken over the finances. She adds that she can’t make a payment today as Jai has kept her bank card for her.
Louisa thanks Mina for telling her this and says that their Money Matters Team could assist her, outlining the type of practical help they could provide. Mina becomes upset and says she feels she couldn’t do that as Jai wouldn’t like it. Louisa lets Mina talk about the situation at her own pace. Mina goes on to explain they have been having problems as Jai has been gambling, using her money and has sold some of her things as well as the children’s bikes and Play Station. She adds things are fine when he wins, and when he does, he pays the rent arrears, but she still feels she is walking on eggshells constantly. She discloses that he controls her finances, takes money from her bank and has taken out a loan in her name that she has only recently found out about. They had argued about it, and Jai made threats towards her, and the police had been called after a physical assault on her.
Mina explains that she is scared she might lose her home and the children as a result of what is happening. She doesn’t think anyone can help her and she feels hopeless.
During the conversation, Louisa undertakes the DASH RIC, gently asking questions about Mina’s situation (see page 14 on Recognising risk).
Sarah
Adesua arranges to meet Sarah in a private meeting room, where they won’t be disturbed. Adesua thanks Sarah for meeting her and asks Sarah what is troubling her. Sarah tells Adesua that she is currently struggling to manage her budget, as she is on a low income.
Adesua enquires about Sarah’s income, and Sarah explains that she used to work in an office, but that she’d lost her job, and she was now working a few shifts in a local supermarket. Through gentle conversation, Adesua establishes that Sarah lost her job because she was regularly late or didn’t arrive for work. Sarah shares that this was because her partner at the time, Tom, didn’t like Sarah being around other men. Tom would do things like hide Sarah’s keys or start arguments before she went out, leaving Sarah too distressed to attend work.
Adesua asks Sarah if she is still with Tom, and Sarah states that she is now single, having split from Tom several months ago. However, Sarah shares that she is still feeling very down, and sometimes feels she is struggling to cope. Adesua asks Sarah if she has any support, and Sarah shares that whilst she doesn’t have an in-person support, she has found a supportive community online. Adesua asks Sarah more about this online community, and Sarah admits that she met and speaks to the women via an online gambling website.
Adesua can see that Sarah is uncomfortable disclosing this, and she reassures Sarah that she has done the right thing to share this with her.
Section 4.3
Refer: Connecting Women to Specialist Support
Where domestic abuse and/or harmful gambling is known or suspected, women should be offered information about external support services and, where appropriate, a referral should be made. Always offer women a choice: to self-refer or to have you make the referral on their behalf. For women who have experienced coercive control, having this autonomy is an important part of rebuilding trust and self-determination.
Common Concerns About Referrals
  • Fear of losing custody of children or their home
  • Not feeling their experience is "bad enough"
  • Fear of judgement or having to recount their story
  • Worry that the abuse could escalate as the perpetrator reacts
  • Concern that family or partner will find out
Digital Safety
Many women are subjected to digital monitoring by their partner. Ask about devices, whether the partner has access, and concerns about surveillance. Consider providing access to a phone or computer at your offices. Never reference the true purpose of a meeting in written communications — agree a code word instead.
Building Local Relationships
Staff should know local domestic abuse and gambling harm services. Build relationships with key contacts to enable warm referrals and reduce the need for women to repeat their story. Arrange reciprocal staff awareness sessions between agencies.

As a minimum….

Staff working directly with tenants should be familiar with local support services and what they can offer. This includes local domestic abuse services and local gambling‑harm services (for both people who gamble and affected others).

Refer: Case Studies
Mina
Louisa allows Mina to tell her story at her own pace and explains they can help her with some of the practicalities and support her to access to specialist organisations, if she would like this. Mina says she would like help to do this. Louisa checks Mina’s mobile details and updates the Case Management System with it.
She outlines the referral to MARAC and what would happen, which Mina consents to.
Louisa describes the support organisations that could help Mina, and their remits. She explains that she knows them and could make referrals, and the first meetings could take place at the office if Mina would prefer. Louisa supports Mina to contact a local gambling harms organisation as an ‘affected other’. An appointment is made at the office for 2 days’ time. Louisa then makes a call to the local domestic abuse charity, and they speak to Mina, planning to meet her at the school gates that day when she is collecting the children.
Louisa arranges a food bank voucher and a gas payment card as Mina has no food other than what she has for the children. She has no money left on her gas key so can’t cook anything and there is no hot water to shower.
Some months later, an injunction is served to Jai to remove Jai from the home. Mina is in touch with Surviving Economic Abuse, who help her deal with the coerced debt. Extra security is installed at Mina’s property in case Jai tries to return. He is accessing support from a gambling harms charity and living back with his dad.
Sarah
Adesua tells Sarah that her previous relationship, with Tom, didn’t sound very healthy. She shares that professional sabotage, stopping someone from going to work or causing them to lose their job, can be a form of economic abuse. Adesua asks Sarah how she feels about this.
Sarah shares that she had thought the relationship wasn’t very good, but she wasn’t sure if she could get help, because Tom was never physically violent towards her. Adesua reassures Sarah that she can still access support and asks Sarah if she would like her to make a referral to the local domestic abuse service. Sarah agrees.
Adesua also asks Sarah how she feels about the online gambling and the ways it impacts on her budget. Sarah acknowledges that whilst she has found the online community supportive, she is spending more than she can afford to on gambling. Adesua asks Sarah if she would like to be referred to a charity who can support her to manage this. Sarah expresses concern that gambling harms organisations are for men, but Adesua reassures her that several charities now have dedicated support for women who struggle with gambling. Sarah agrees for this referral to be made as well.
So as not to overwhelm Sarah, Adesua suggests setting up another meeting for a few days’ time, where they can discuss Sarah’s income and expenditure in more detail, and come up with an affordable repayment plan for the missed rent payments. Adesua also suggests that, when Sarah is ready, they could discuss a referral to a local women’s charity, who can help with confidence building and applying for work. Sarah again agrees that this could be beneficial, as she would like to return to office work, and to find connections with local women to build up her support network.
Key Takeaways: The Refer Stage
This short video provides a concise summary of the critical aspects involved in effectively connecting women experiencing domestic abuse and gambling harm to specialist support services.
The "Refer" stage is paramount in offering a pathway to recovery and safety. Housing professionals play a vital role in identifying signs of harm and facilitating access to appropriate external support. Key principles include empowering women by offering choice in the referral process, understanding and addressing common concerns they may have, and prioritising digital safety given the prevalence of tech-enabled abuse. Furthermore, building strong relationships with local domestic abuse and gambling harm services is crucial for creating warm referrals and ensuring women receive the tailored, trauma-informed support they need. This approach fosters trust and respects their autonomy, crucial for their journey to self-determination.
Key Organisations

Organisations to Refer Women To

www.betknowmoreuk.org

Womens' Project | Betknowmore UK

The project is exploring how approachable, accessible and effective women find the support and treatment services currently available to them.

GambleAware

Support in your area

No matter how you’re feeling, our service finder can help you find free, confidential support in Great Britain for you or someone else affected by gambling harms.

Women’s Aid

Women's Aid Directory - Women’s Aid

If you're in an abusive relationship, find local help in your area. Use our online directory is available to find the right support near you.

NCDV

Domestic Violence & Abuse · Emergency Injunction Service

A free, fast emergency injunction service to survivors of domestic violence regardless of their financial circumstances, race, gender or sexual orientation.

  • (free legal advice)

Refuge

Refuge, the UK's largest specialist domestic abuse organisation

Empowering women to live without violence & fear. Refuge is the largest domestic abuse organisation in the UK. Supporting thousands of women & their children overcome the physical, emotional, financial impacts of abuse.

Rights of Women

Home - Rights of Women

Rights of Women is a charity that provides free confidential legal advice and information to women on the law in England and Wales with a specific focus on Violence Against Women and Girls. We also campaign for access to justice and safety for all women.

Perpetrator Pathways
It is important to note that if a perpetrator presents as willing to access support, victim-survivors remain the priority. Perpetrators may be signposted to Respect Charity or The Drive Partnership.
Legal Information
This section provides an overview of key legal protections available to victim-survivors of domestic abuse, including injunctions, occupation orders and housing-related provisions.
1
Non-Molestation Order
An injunction under the Family Law Act 1996, available to 'associated persons'. Can prevent contact, proximity to the property, third-party contact, violence, harassment and attending the workplace. Can be made without notice. Breach is a criminal offence with a possible prison sentence. Apply using Form FL401 with a witness statement.
2
Occupation Order
A court injunction under s.33 Family Law Act 1996 regulating who can live in a property. Can enforce the right to remain, allow return if forced out, exclude a partner, prevent them coming within a certain distance, and set out who pays rent/mortgage. Made for 6 months typically. Does not change property ownership. Apply using Form FL401.
3
Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPO)
Replacing DVPOs under Part 3 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. Can ban contact, require the abuser to leave the home, mandate behaviour-change programmes, drug/alcohol treatment, mental health assessments or electronic monitoring. Being piloted from 2024 in Greater Manchester, Croydon, Bromley, Sutton, Cleveland and North Wales.
4
Housing Act Grounds & Children's Orders
Ground 2A (Housing Act 1985) and Ground 14A (Housing Act 1988) provide grounds for possession where one partner has left due to violence. Child Arrangements Orders (Children Act 1989, s.8) and Prohibited Steps Orders are also available. Legal Aid is available — consult a solicitor for an eligibility test.
Further Reading & References
The following key sources informed this resource. The full reference list is available at dagamblingharms.co.uk.
Domestic Abuse Statistics
Office for National Statistics (2025). Domestic abuse victim characteristics, England and Wales: year ending March 2025. | Femicide Census (2025). | Refuge (2017). Facts and Statistics.
Gambling Research
Gambling Commission (2024). Gambling Survey for Great Britain, Annual Report. | Gambling Commission (2025). Women and Gambling on International Women's Day 2025. | Citizens' Advice (2018). Out of Luck.
Mental Health & Housing
Ferrari et al. (2016). Domestic violence and mental health. Global Health Action. | Price, H. and Glorney, E. (2022). The challenge to survive: trauma, violence and identity in the lived experience of homeless women. Journal of Forensic Practice.
Housing Policy
Nowicki, M., Brickell, K. and Morphew, S. (2025). 'You can't bid because you're in red': How allocation policies can affect domestic abuse survivors with housing-related debt. Chartered Institute of Housing.

For correspondence about this report, resource or podcast, contact: dagamblingharmsproject@gmail.com | Project website: dagamblingharms.co.uk