What inspired you to join EIDA?
Having worked for a frontline domestic abuse service and supported victims/survivors at the point of crisis, I really wanted to help employers take action on domestic abuse in a more holistic and preventative way.
I love that EIDA is working together with its members to change the narrative around domestic abuse from it being a ‘family’ or ‘private’ issue, to being something we all have responsibility to take action on together.
What were you doing before you joined EIDA?
Before I joined EIDA, I worked in a split role within the City of London. Part of the role was working at the City of London Corporation as the strategic lead for violence against women and girls. The other part of my role was working for Victim Support as an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA), where I supported victims/survivors who lived and worked within the City who had experienced domestic or sexual abuse.
My time as an IDVA opened my eyes to the level of abuse some people experience every day while still managing to go to work and get through each day. They really are the strongest, most resilient people I have ever met.
What does your role at EIDA involve?
My role as Membership and Partnerships Manager involves direct engagement with our membership. This can include initial guidance, signposting to our resources, making introductions to other employers and improving our offering for new members.
I also work closely with services from the domestic abuse sector and other relevant organisations to keep up to date with what’s happening in the sector and feed this back to our members.
What is your biggest accomplishment?
As an IDVA and alongside the police, social services and the local authority, I supported a woman to escape her abusive husband of 20 years. She was a nurse and her workplace supported her to move to work in another hospital, which meant she could move away from the perpetrator to a safe location, with her young daughter. She had attempted to leave six times before she escaped from the perpetrator.
To have been involved in supporting her, knowing that she is now safe, receiving therapy and free from abuse, is right up there as one of my proudest accomplishments. Leaving was one of the most difficult things she had to do, but with the support of her employer and other agencies, she did it!
What do you enjoy most about working for EIDA?
I love being able to bring people, employers and partners together to shine a light on the important role employers have in tackling domestic abuse. It’s inspiring to speak to so many employers who really care about their employees and are working to change the culture within their organisation, so that people affected by domestic abuse feel able to speak out and get help.
What would you be doing if you weren’t working for EIDA?
I would love to be involved in making documentaries, Louis Theroux style.
Tell us something about you that few people know.
I am, very slowly, attempting to learn Italian! When I started my level of Italian was very basic and I could just about say ‘ciao’ and ‘grazie’, but now I can say a few words and most importantly I can order my favourite food!