The impact of domestic abuse is wide-ranging and will inevitably affect workers and their colleagues. It is important that it is understood as a serious, recognisable and preventable issue in the workplace.
Abuse can be psychological, financial and emotional, and includes controlling or coercive behaviour. It can also include stalking, forced marriage, so called ‘honour crimes’, and female genital mutilation, as well as on-line or digital abuse.
UNISON recognises that controlling and abusive behaviour can occur in mixed and same sex relationships, within extended families, and can affect men as well as women.
However, the vast majority of the victims/survivors of domestic abuse are women and children, and women are also considerably more likely to experience repeated and severe forms of violence and sexual abuse.
Get help and support below
The effects of domestic abuse, like those of harassment in the workplace, can be far-reaching. Home and work issues cannot always be neatly separated. Domestic abuse can affect job performance, and therefore job prospects and security. It threatens the health and safety of those who suffer. It can threaten their lives. It is one of the most extreme forms of oppression a woman can experience.
UNISON has produced guide which explains:
Why domestic abuse is a trade union issue?
What is domestic abuse?
What can UNISON do?
It also includes a model workplace agreement on domestic violence and abuse.
UNISON domestic violence in the workplace
Domestic violence or abuse can happen to anyone. Find out how to recognise the signs and where to get help.
If you’re worried someone might see you have visited this page, the Women’s Aid website tells you how to cover your tracks online.
Domestic violence, also called domestic abuse, includes physical, emotional and sexual abuse in couple relationships or between family members.
Domestic violence can happen against anyone, and anybody can be an abuser.
Getting help and support for domestic violence
You do not have to wait for an emergency situation to find help. If domestic abuse is happening to you, it’s important to tell someone and remember you’re not alone.
Information:
You can also find help and support for domestic abuse on GOV.UK.
Other ways to get support:
- women can call The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night. The staff will offer confidential, non-judgemental information and support
- talk to a doctor, health visitor or midwife
- men can call Men’s Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 (Monday to Friday 10am to 8pm), or visit the webchat at Men’s Advice Line (Wednesday 10am to 11.30am and 2.30pm to 4pm) for non-judgemental information and support
- men can also call ManKind on 0182 3334 244 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm)
- if you identify as LGBT+ you can call Galop on 0800 999 5428 for emotional and practical support
- anyone can call Karma Nirvana on 0800 5999 247 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) for forced marriage and honour crimes. You can also call 020 7008 0151 to speak to the GOV.UK Forced Marriage Unit
- in an emergency, call 999
You can also email for support. It is important that you specify when and if it is safe to respond and to which email address:
- women can email helpline@womensaid.org.uk. Staff will respond to your email within 5 working days
- men can email info@mensadviceline.org.uk
- LGBT+ people can email help@galop.org.uk
The Survivor’s Handbook from the charity Women’s Aid is free and provides information for women on a wide range of issues, such as housing, money, helping your children, and your legal rights.
If you are worried that you are abusive, you can contact the free Respect helpline on 0808 802 4040.