New Advice Line For Businesses To Support Employees Suffering Domestic Abuse
At a time when, once again, we are all being told to work from home where we can, it is crucial to remember the many victims of domestic abuse who will be directly impacted.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime. The charity Hestia says lockdown has shown that home is not always safe for everyone, and with more people working remotely due to Covid-19, cases of domestic abuse are rising. The charity saw a 47% increase in victims reaching out for information and support on its free domestic abuse app, Bright Sky.
It is therefore fantastic that the charity has launched a new advice line for businesses supporting employees experiencing, or at risk of, domestic abuse.
Funded by the Home Office, the Everyone’s Business Advice Line will be a point of contact for businesses, supporting them on how to approach disclosures of domestic abuse by their employees, particularly in light of Covid-19. They will also receive advice so that they can signpost staff to specialist domestic abuse services.
While over 2.4 million people are affected by domestic abuse every year, it can be difficult for employers to recognise the signs and support those experiencing domestic abuse in their organisation. Hestia launched the Everyone’s Business programme to increase awareness and support in the workplace and have worked with over 70 organisations from the Metropolitan Police to Balfour Beatty.
Minister for Safeguarding, Victoria Atkins said: “Domestic abuse affects people in all parts of the economy, and employers can play a crucial role in helping staff who are victims of this appalling crime. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought into focus the need for victims to have as many sources of support as possible. We are proud to be funding Hestia to provide a new employers’ domestic abuse advice line which will help employers support their colleagues at this critical time.”
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Author Name: Editor
Published content by The Divorce Surgery Editorial Team.
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