Raising domestic abuse awareness in the region and the purple pledge

Many people within the Telford, Wrekin and Shropshire region will have been subjected to domestic abuse at some point in their lives. Many more will know friends, relatives, children, young people, or work colleagues who have experienced abuse. But there is still a huge way to go in terms of raising awareness of domestic abuse, and understanding the signs when someone is being subjected to it.

Would you as an employer or employee recognise the signs, know how to support? Do you have a workplace Domestic Abuse Policy and supporting processes? Have you had domestic abuse training for HR, managers or employees who want to raise their own awareness?

Statistics show us that:

Domestic Abuse costs businesses £1.9 billion each year through reduced productivity and performance.
Ove one in ten of those who are subjected to domestic abuse report that the abuse continues in the workplace.
Over half of those experiencing domestic abuse have to take time off work as a result of abuse.
In about 81% of instances of domestic abuse in the workplace this is through harassing or abusive emails or phone calls.

Domestic Abuse can include, but is not limited to, the following:

Psychological and/or emotional abuse
Coercive control and controlling behaviour
Physical or sexual abuse
Financial or economic abuse
Harassment and stalking
Online, technological, or digital abuse

Abusive behaviour such as this can endanger co-workers and clients as well as victims, putting an entire workplace at risk.

Yet, it is estimated that only around 5% of organisations have a Domestic Abuse Policy and processes in place to support all employee s on how to respond and support individuals experiencing domestic abuse.

Statistically, organisations are likely to have several people being subjected to domestic abuse or who are survivors of abuse. Domestic abuse can have a huge impact on all areas of a person’s life, from their work and relationships to their self-esteem and independence. So how as an employer can you support the wellbeing of your employees and the local community you work with?

Telford and Wrekin Domestic Abuse Forum

Through the newly formed Domestic Abuse Forum, victims and survivors of domestic abuse have shaped the strategy and the commissioning process in the region. The newly commissioned omestic abuse service will better integrate multiple support services for victims and children into one service (see links below).

Cranstoun has been commissioned to provide the new service for the next three years in partnership with West Mercia's Women's Aid as a specialist domestic abuse provider.

Shropshire Council

The council have pages with resources for employers and individuals to access so no matter where you are based in Shropshire there are services to support (see links below).

Training

Employers, employees, and individuals can access free training if they live and/or work in Telford and Wrekin area through Haven Training. They are providing training sessions on Domestic Abuse Awareness for everyone – who it affects, types of, definitions, and how to recognise and support. This is then followed by Workplace Ambassador or Community Champion training to give further tools to recognise, respond and refer.

All free, online or face to face (dependent on group size) and there are lots of follow up training and resources for all. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details.

1628862790853

The Purple Pledge

The pledge aims to support businesses, of all shapes and sizes, and within any industry, to have:

A robust Domestic Abuse policy in place.
As many employees as possible accessing Domestic Abuse Awareness training.
At least one Domestic Abuse Ambassador/Champion trained and supported in the workplace.

Access the training above and become a Purple Pledge employer to show your employees, customers, clients, suppliers and local community that you are making a serious commitment to providing a safe space to disclose domestic abuse issues and helping to put people in touch with the right organisations.

Local resources and organisations

Telford and Wrekin Council

https://www.telford.gov.uk/info/20291/domestic_abuse

Telford and Wrekin Council Domestic Abuse Strategy

https://newsroom.telford.gov.uk/News/Details/16678

Shropshire Council

https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/crime-and-community-safety/domestic-abuse/

https://shropshire.gov.uk/committee-services/documents/s28670/Domestic%20Abuse%20Services.pdf

West Mercia Women’s Aid

www.westmerciawomensaid.org

24-hour helpline - 0800 783 1359

Cranstoun