Today, 18 December 2025, the Government has published its new cross-government strategy on tackling VAWG, including domestic abuse, sexual violence, harassment and stalking.
The strategy is built on three objectives: (i) prevention and early intervention to address the root causes of abuse; (ii) the relentless pursuit of its perpetrators; and (iii) support for all those affect by violence and abuse when it happens.
The strategy and accompanying action plan lay out several key points for employers to consider. The Government is focussed on a whole-of-society response to what is recognised as one of the most critical challenges of our time, with employers having a vital role to play. Workplaces are recognised as places of safety for victim-survivors. Employers are expected to contribute to tackling abuse by protecting employees who are victim-survivors, and by helping to hold perpetrators to account.
We are encouraged that the Government has included one of our recommendations in the VAWG strategy: that the Government work with regulators and professional bodies in key sectors to make clear that domestic abuse perpetration impacts an individual’s fitness to practice.
Key takeaways for employers
- The action plan recommends all UK employers become members of EIDA.
- Employers are expected to have clear policies and/or guidance (including legal frameworks) on domestic abuse, and robust reporting pathways to end impunity for abusers. Employers will be surveyed annually by the Government to monitor progress.
- The Civil Service will lead by example, and all government departments will roll out a bespoke training package for employees. This will include provisions on abuse-related leave.
- The Government will consult to understand how professional regulators and bodies can take disciplinary action, including removing professional accreditations and positions of power from perpetrators – for professionals in sports, doctors, lawyers, chartered specialists, and educators. Measures will also cover those who have restraining orders imposed on them for crimes such as domestic abuse, sexual assault, harassment or stalking, resulting in them losing their professional status.
- The Government will work with employers to provide clear pathways for victim-survivors of domestic abuse back into the workplace. This includes 20 strands of “Going Forward into Employment” life chance recruitment pathways across the civil service.
- The Government will update its existing guidance for employers on responding to domestic abuse and all VAWG-related crime.
- In relation to workplace sexual harassment, as outlined in the Employment Rights Bill, employers will be required to take all reasonable steps to prevent harassment of their employees.
About EIDA
The Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA) is a free-to-join membership organisation supporting employers to take effective action on domestic abuse. EIDA now has over 2000 employer members, collectively employing more than 25% of the UK’s workforce. EIDA’s mission is to equip employers to support their employees affected by domestic abuse and to share best practice with other employers. We provide over 50 practical resources for large and small employers to adapt and use for their workplaces, including a template domestic abuse policy and a step-by-step Handbook. If your organisation is not already a member, you can join here.
