Yorkshire businesses encouraged to sign domestic abuse charter

Employers across Yorkshire are being encouraged to take a stand against domestic abuse.

The Charity IDAS (Independent Domestic Abuse Services) want managers to sign up to a charter promising more protection for staff.

It includes making sure everyone does awareness training and creating a private space for survivors to make calls.

The charter is being launched at an event in Leeds later on today: In a statement IDAS say: 'This summit is an opportunity to bring together professionals from various industries to discuss and explore ways to address the issue of domestic abuse in the workplace. We believe that this is a crucial conversation to have, and hope that you will leave feeling better equipped to support colleagues, friends and family.'

A woman who escaped from her abusive partner will speak at the launch event. She is calling on businesses to sign the charter and says support in the workplace is vital: "I was becoming more withdrawn at work and sort of sneaking into the toilets to take calls from solicitors, or to take personal calls or to respond if I'd got a message, so it was kind of difficult to try and hold down a job and not being able to speak to anyone about it at work."

"It was kind of difficult trying to hold down a job and not being able to speak to anyone about it at work, I think it's about the shame, the guilt, the embarrassment, you know why would she stay and all those kind of things, which prevent you from speaking out."

"Just by chance I was speaking to a colleague in the kitchen and she said is everything ok at home and that was it, the flood gates just opened and we went somewhere quiet and I was finally able to open up and it all came flooding out."

You can access support services at IDAS here

Other links to help

If you’re affected by issues raised in this article, there is help available from your local domestic abuse service at www.womensaid.org.uk.

· The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247 (run by Refuge)

· The Men’s Advice Line, for male domestic abuse survivors is 0808 801 0327 (run by Respect)

· The National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0800 999 5428 (run by Galop)

If you are in immediate danger always call 999.

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