This is a written summary of our Insight Hour, held on 23 April 2024, looking at domestic abuse, and the work of Women’s Aid, and the relevance for employers.
Women’s Aid is the largest charity working to end domestic abuse in the UK, with separate Federations for each nation. Women’s Aid currently coordinates 180 members that provide over 400 frontline services. They also have the UK’s largest database of national and local specialist services, including immigration support. Despite Women’s Aid historically being associated with women and girls, over half of their members also provide services for men. They help victim-survivors in crisis flee their abusers and provide refuge. Given that 2.1 million people were affected by domestic abuse last year, and that between 1-2 women per week are killed by a current or former partner, these emergency services can make the difference between life and death.
A brief history of domestic abuse in the UK
Women’s Aid’s work builds on 50 years of activism and landmark legal developments. The first Domestic Violence and Matrimonial Proceedings Act came into force in 1976, shortly followed by the Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates Courts Act in 1978. The first national helpline was set up in 1987. England and Wales only achieved its first legal definition of domestic abuse in 2021, which recognised the many cruel forms domestic abuse can take aside from physical violence (such as coercive and controlling behaviour, and stalking). The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 is accompanied by statutory guidance for employers on how they can help protect their employees. This makes clear that an employer’s common law duty of care includes considering the impact of domestic abuse on their employees.
Domestic abuse as a workplace issue
86% of those who experience domestic abuse say that their work performance is impacted, and 56% had to take time off work owing to their abuse. This absence results in a £316m loss to UK businesses annually. Specifically for women victims of domestic abuse, the annual average lost earning potential is £5,800.
Women’s Aid and EIDA both work with employers to support them to tailor a domestic abuse policy and consider the other support an employer is able to provide. Employers need to provide clear and consistent communications so that every employee knows exactly what policy applies and how they can utilise it.
Come Together to end abuse
Women’s Aid has launched a new campaign called “Come Together”, which offers community-led training for employers to end domestic abuse. The campaign is about advocating for right behaviours and calling out harmful behaviours in every space. Training and support for organisations will focus on how line managers can create a safe space, and how employees can become community advocates for a better society. This is all focused on understanding domestic abuse, challenging myths and harmful stereotypes about victims, and how to provide a supportive response to survivors.
Please get in touch with the Partnerships team to discuss education and training, and how Women’s Aid works with employers: [email protected]
Five things everyone can do
Lastly, Women’s Aid offers five tips to anyone who wants to champion change and help those affected by domestic abuse.
- Make a change where you are. Does your workplace or sports club have a domestic abuse policy? Are staff aware of how pervasive the issue is and how to respond? Are there awareness-raising materials visible, for example posters in bathroom stalls?
- Dispel myths about domestic abuse and challenge sexism. Sexist attitudes are at the root of so many harmful behaviours. Importantly, domestic abuse is never the victim-survivor’s fault.
- Take action and use your voice. Join campaigns for better policies, start your own fundraiser, or take part in challenges to support organisations working with domestic abuse.
- Learn what to say to anyone affected. Understand why it might not be easy to leave an abusive relationship and be led by the victim-survivor’s wishes. For a survivor, knowing that someone will listen to and believe them is the absolute key.
- Speak up. Showing your engagement loud and proud will inspire others to take action. Talk about domestic abuse at work, with friends and family. Post about your activism on social media. Be a positive example for others to follow.
