Employers given guidance to reduce domestic violence abuse
Employers have been given guidance around domestic violence and abuse.
The Department of Health and Department of Justice published the new guidance on how employers can increase awareness and respond more effectively to the abuse.
It comes as the PSNI reveal they received nearly 29,913 domestic abuse reports in 2017/18.
15% of all police recorded crime in NI in 2017/18 had a domestic abuse motivation
This is the latest initiative to be delivered under the Stopping Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse Strategy.
It will support employers by providing a checklist of the key areas to include in a Workplace Policy along with information on practical measures that can be taken to support employees who have been affected by, or are at risk of, domestic and sexual violence and abuse.
Louise Kennedy from Womens Aid helped develop the Guidance.
She says having a workforce policy that supports employees experiencing domestic and sexual violence and abuse can help employers recruit and retain staff, it can help increase staff morale and productivity, prevent unnecessary disciplinary action as well as communicating a powerful message to both employees and potential employees.
Support in the workplace is often about being aware and sign posting employees to organisations that provide specialist support to victims and those who are working with them or their family and friends.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have experienced domestic violence, and on average, there are 5 domestic homicides in Northern Ireland each year.
In 2017/18, Women’s Aid in NI supported 16,754 women and children affected by domestic violence and Men’s Advisory Project supported 1001 men.
What is Domestic Abuse?
Threatening, controlling, coercive behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, virtual, physical, verbal, sexual, financial or emotional) inflicted on anyone (irrespective of age, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or any form of disability) by a current or former intimate partner or family member.
This kind of behaviour can happen over a long period of time. Domestic abuse covers physical, sexual, psychological or financial abuse.
It doesn't matter what your age, gender, race or sexuality is, how much you earn or where you come from - anyone can suffer abuse.
Lagging behind the UK
Ms Kennedy told us the lack of an executive is having an impact on victim, and potential victims here.
The 24 Hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Helpline (Telephone: 0808 802 1414) is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for anyone who is in need of support.