A big thank you to everyone who attended our Network Event with EIDA Ambassador and campaigner, David Challen, to talk about his new book, The Unthinkable: A Story of Control, Violence and My Mother.
David’s own story of growing up with abuse is powerful, and the landmark case of his mother, Sally Challen, has had a significant impact on how society understands domestic abuse. While the story of David’s family is hard to hear, it is also a poignant reminder of the impact of domestic abuse on families, and the practical role employers can play in supporting those impacted. Every organisation in the UK is a vital part of this movement to make work a safe place for all employees across the UK.
“I had a pit in my stomach from the age of five. I instinctively felt that something was wrong about my father and the way he treated my mother.” – David Challen
A special thank you to Vodafone and the Vodafone Foundation, for hosting this event. Vodafone is one of EIDA’s founding Beacon members, and the first company to introduce a global domestic abuse response. They have created the Bright Sky domestic abuse support app, which currently has over 1.4 million downloads worldwide.
The winner of Everyone’s Business Awards 2025, an award for leading employers organised by Hestia charity, was announced at the event. Congratulations to global biopharmaceutical company, Bristol Myers Squibb, for their outstanding commitment to taking effective action on domestic abuse. We hope employers across the country will be inspired by your leadership and vision to tackle domestic abuse and protect your employees.
Key takeaways for employers
- Raise awareness and train employees to recognise the signs of domestic abuse. Some victim-survivors may endure years of abuse before they come forward.
- Respond appropriately when victim-survivors disclose their experiences. Listen empathetically, share the support you have available, and ask them what course of action they would prefer. Safety is the utmost priority.
- Consider the impact of domestic abuse on employees’ children/dependants. Domestic abuse can have severe impacts on children’s development and wellbeing, and early intervention is crucial. Extend your support for employees to cover their families by signposting to specialist support and offer flexibility where you can.
- Timekeeper is a short film about domestic abuse through the eyes of a child. It is an impactful watch and comes with a trigger warning. You can watch it on YouTube here.
You can find David’s new book, The Unthinkable here. At the end of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, we are giving away ten copies, find instructions on how to participate here.
21 November 2025
