Domestic violence

The negative impact of domestic abuse can be huge for staff wellbeing, with large financial costs for employers. Domestic abuse has been around well before the COVID-19 pandemic, although the Office for National Statistics (NAO) has reported an increase in domestic-violence cases during lockdown and working from home. It is important to have the right precautions in place for staff to feel safe and supported at work.
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One in six to seven men and one in four women will be a victim of domestic abuse in their lifetime
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Half of male victims (49 per cent) fail to tell anyone they are a victim of domestic abuse and are two and a half times less likely to tell anyone than female victims (19 per cent).
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LGBTQ+ and disabled people often experience disproportionately higher rates of severe and frequent incidents of domestic abuse.
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Abuse can take a range of different forms and can last for a significant length of time.
Of callers to the National Domestic Abuse Helpline in the year ending March 2022, where the abuse type was recorded:
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82.3 per cent experienced psychological or emotional abuse
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74.4 per cent experienced controlling behaviour
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56.4 per cent experienced threatening or intimidating behaviour
The updated COVID-19 Mental Health and Wellbeing Surveillance Report (April 2022) published by the government, states that domestic abuse has been the largest contributor to an increase in incidences of self-harm during the pandemic. Working from home can be isolating, and often lowers the ability for victims to disclose abuse and for employers to spot signs of domestic abuse.
Refuge recorded a 61 per cent rise in the number of calls to their domestic abuse helpline, indicating that victims required additional support.
The talking domestic abuse plan by the home secretary, outlines the role employers play in supporting victims. In light of this, policies, protocols and guidance should be updated to provide maximum support to both victims and perpetrators in rehabilitation.