Domestic abuse victim wins landmark case after Bedroom Tax charges her for having panic room

A domestic abuse victim has won a landmark case after the “bedroom tax” meant she was forced to cough up extra money for having a panic room.

The European Court of Human Rights ruled the woman’s human rights were infringed after her housing benefit was slashed and she faced being kicked out of her sanctuary-scheme provided home.

Such homes are properties specifically adapted to allow women and children who are at severe risk of being subjected to domestic violence to be safe in their own homes.

The European Court of Human Rights ruled the so-called “bedroom tax” unlawfully discriminates against victims of domestic abuse on Thursday – reversing a 2016 Supreme Court judgment which saw five out of seven judges dismiss the victim’s claims.

The mother, who is a victim of rape, assault, harassment and stalking perpetrated by a former partner, had been living in the property with her son.

They were staying in a purposefully modified three-bedroom house which had a panic room in the attic. A panic room is a secret room in a house designed to stop trespassers entering.

The woman, whose identity must remain anonymous to protect her safety and who was considered to be at “extreme risk of domestic violence”, had been granted the house back in 2012 after her former partner got in touch with her.

Ten years before this, he had attacked and raped her after coming out of jail for attempted murder, according to Rights Info.

The victim’s housing benefit was axed by 14 per cent after the “bedroom tax” was brought in back in 2012 because she was found to have one more bedroom than she was allowed to have under the legislation.

Ann Bevington, of Hopkin Murray Beskine Solicitors, who represented the victim, said: “These changes to housing benefit have had a catastrophic impact upon vulnerable people across the country. Our client, whose life is at risk, has suffered great anxiety as a result of the bedroom tax and the uncertainty about this case. She lives in a property which has been specially adapted by the police, at great expense, to protect her and her child.

“The prospect of having to move another property (where she will not have any of these protections) or take in a lodger has loomed large for her during the six years it has taken this case to reach this stage. She is a vulnerable single parent who has been a victim of rape and assault. She is delighted that after such a long battle, the European Court of Human Rights has recognised the impact that the bedroom tax is having on her and others like her.

“It is important to remember that on average two women every week are killed by a current or former partner in England and Wales – protecting abused women and their children is a matter of life and death, and we should always remember this.”

Ms Bevington called on the Secretary of State to take “swift action” to exempt “the small but extremely vulnerable class of women and children who need the safety of a sanctuary scheme” from the “bedroom tax”.

The government was ordered to pay the domestic abuse survivor €10,000 (£8,650) in compensation.