Strongmind Resiliency Training Ltd is launching a new Domestic Abuse Basic Awareness course for employers from today [October 26, 2021].
The aim of the new course is to help business leaders recognise the signs of domestic abuse and support staff who may be affected.
The launch comes at a time when one in four women and one in six men experience domestic abuse in the UK. Meanwhile, a staggering two women per week and one man each month on average are killed by a current or former partner in England and Wales.
Strongmind director, Richard Dorney, said: “As an employer, you want to do all you can to keep your staff healthy, happy, productive and above all – safe. Domestic abuse is often traumatic and a significant source of long-term mental health problems. Employers and organisations need a greater awareness of this issue, so that they can support people.
“We welcome the recent government advice to employers in the Domestic Abuse Act. We are fortunate to have Shelley Bamford, an acknowledged expert in this field, on our team to help deliver awareness training.
“With over 2.3 million people aged 16-74 in the UK experiencing domestic abuse each year, employers have a duty of care. This means they have a legal responsibility to provide safe and effective work environments. Preventing and tackling domestic abuse is an integral part of this.”
While 86 per cent of companies believe that they have a duty of care towards victims of domestic abuse, a mere five per cent of organisations currently have a specific guideline or policy on the issue. Dorney believes it is likely that the government could bring in legislation to rectify the problem, particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdowns proved to be an exacerbating factor.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has seen a great increase in people working at home. For people experiencing abuse, the workplace often offers a safe space and a break from their abuser,” Dorney explained.
“Colleagues and managers may be the only people outside the home that victims talk to each day. This makes them uniquely placed to spot signs of abuse. Employers also need to be aware that abuse is often perpetrated from the workplace.”
Strongmind’s new Domestic Abuse Awareness course includes learning to help improve awareness and confidence around domestic abuse and the workplace. In addition, expert training covers the business case for every organisation to have a domestic abuse policy, exploring their legal and statutory obligations to create a safe and healthy workplace.
More information on Strongmind’s new Domestic Abuse Awareness course may be found here.
Photo by Danie Franco on Unsplash
