Domestic abuse is a common occurrence within society that doesn’t consider age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, education or socioeconomic status. It is not just a personal issue bound to the home but a serious topic that affects individuals, families, communities, and society as a whole.
There were an estimated 2.1 million victims of domestic abuse by November 2023.[1] This included 1.4 million women and 751,000 men. [2] These figures highlight the pervasive nature of domestic abuse within society.
Given the boundless nature of domestic abuse and the number of people it affects and destroys, it is possible if not probable that the ramifications of domestic abuse may enter the workplace. Therefore, it is paramount for businesses to recognise and tackle this problem by upholding their duty of care to its employees through establishing a safe culture, where employees are supported when facing the obstacles that are caused directly by domestic abuse.
Principle One understands that it has a responsibility to support its employees and provide a judgement free and understanding working environment. The increase in hybrid working following covid has amplified the importance of spreading awareness and educating staff. In the current working climate employees are spending increased time working from home, which can intensify the abuse that individuals are facing. As a result of this it can become even more difficult for victims to seek support and escape the cycle of abuse. The only escape some victims have is their workplace which can serve as a refuge, where they can find safety for some portion of their day. However, despite finding refuge within the workplace it can be challenging for victims to communicate their domestic abuse experience due to the feeling of shame, disbelief, and fear of judgement. Not only does experiencing domestic abuse wreak havoc in a victim personal life but it can also affect their work performance leading to further pressure and strain.
The impact and ramifications of domestic abuse effects victims and their families in the immediate term; with the repercussions extending to businesses and the national economy through diminished employee productivity and increased absenteeism. The UK Government estimates the social and economic costs of domestic abuse to be in the region of £78 billion (2022/23 prices) over a three-year average period of abuse. [3]
To combat the challenges related to domestic abuse, Principle One has implemented several measures aimed at supporting and educating the workforce. Principle One has become a member of the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA), which supports businesses in taking effective action against domestic abuse by providing relevant resources to tackle this prevalent issue. One of the resources that Principle One has drawn upon is Sharon’s Policy, a domestic abuse policy template, developed by EIDA Ambassador Sharon Livermore MBE in collaboration with EIDA, Domestic Abuse Alliance and HR Department Ltd. This enabled us to put in place a domestic abuse policy which has been shared across the entire company and details support and guidance for staff.
We also invited Sharon, founder of Domestic Abuse Education, to conduct a CPD-accredited training session on “Domestic Abuse Awareness & Support in the Workplace” for selected employees and a company-wide lunch and learn session aimed at educating the entire workforce.
Sharon's mission is “to educate businesses across the UK on what domestic abuse is and the true difference they can make to each and every one of their employees who may currently, or in the future, experience domestic abuse, whilst ensuring every business has a Domestic Abuse Policy in place.” [4] The essence of this statement is reflected in the training delivered by Sharon and the values of Domestic Abuse Education detailed in the graphic below.
The training sessions were extremely impactful as Sharon shared her experience as a survivor, sending a powerful message of the importance of tackling domestic abuse. The training covered a wide range of topics essential for understanding and tackling domestic abuse. Participants were educated on various forms of abuse, how to initiate supportive conversations with colleagues, recognise the subtle and overt signs of abuse, which is crucial for intervention and support, how to record disclosures and how to seek support. It requires immense courage for a victim or survivor to share their personal experiences, therefore it is crucial to respond with empathy, understanding and care to ensure that the victim or survivor feels heard, supported and safe.
At the conclusion of the training, it was highlighted that external support is available for those affected by domestic abuse which included charities, helpline, and apps. It is essential for businesses to be able to signpost their employees and for employees to be aware of external resources, as some may feel uncomfortable disclosing personal experiences to their employer.
Sharon reflected after the training session “Domestic abuse is a complex and often taboo subject, making it difficult to address openly. However, when organisations like Principle One prioritise it, they can make a real difference in the lives of their employees. By fostering awareness, implementing clear policies and guidance, and understanding that their role is not to "save" individuals but to recognise, respond, and refer victim-survivors to specialist support, organisations can play a crucial role. Through these efforts, including making reasonable workplace adjustments, they help empower employees to live free from abuse. I deeply appreciate Principle One's commitment to this issue and feel privileged to have supported them on their journey.”
3https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/640207b38fa8f527f6680283/FINAL_Annex_A_-_DAC_Mapping_Report_Government_Response__clean_.pdf
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