Would you know what to do if you suspected someone you work with is experiencing domestic violence?
This article outlines what constitutes domestic violence and some of the signs that your colleague may be experiencing it. It offers you some tips on how to support them and resources to find them the help they need.
What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviour that controls, dominates or abuses a person and causes them to fear for their own (or others’) safety and wellbeing. It can severely damage self-esteem.
It can take many forms, including:
- Physical
- Sexual
- Psychological /Emotional
- Verbal
- Social
- Technology Facilitated Abuse
- Cultural/Spiritual Abuse
- Coercive Control
- Child Abuse
Indicators that someone at work maybe experiencing domestic violence
These signs alone may mean nothing but a few indicators put together could indicate that someone at work may be experiencing domestic violence.
- They come to work with physical injuries that are explained away by accidents
- They have a lot of sick days
- They regularly come to work late
- Their partner rings them numerous times a day, or rings to see if they are at work
- Their partner comes to work regularly to check on them, accompanies them to work, or is waiting for them when they finish
- They don’t attend after-work functions
- They find it hard to concentrate and are less productive at work.
If you are concerned about someone at work and not sure how to best support them, please contact Jenny’s Place Domestic Violence Resource Centre to find out. Call (02) 4927 8529.
Jenny’s Place has developed an easy to follow guide to supporting someone experiencing domestic violence.
Workplace training
Your employer may like to consider our targeted workplace training program. The Healthy Relationships and Positive Communities program will help you to support your staff. It is designed to help workplaces respond to disclosure of domestic violence and to support employees to help them remain at work.
Developed in 2018 this training program has been delivered to dozens of local workplaces. We can deliver domestic violence awareness training for management, human resources and other staff. Time frames can be flexible and the training can be tailored to your business and can help to:
- Decrease absenteeism
- Decrease presenteeism (coming in to work unwell)
- Increase staff retention
- Increase productivity
- Increase job satisfaction and staff morale (VicHealth, 2012).
The training covers topics such as:
- What is domestic violence?
- The different types of violence
- The relationship spectrum – identifying healthy, unhealthy and abusive relationships.
- The cycle of violence
- What to do if someone discloses domestic violence
- Where to seek help – for both those who experience violence, as well as those who use violence.
To find out more about the training, or Jenny’s Place services, please contact us at info@jennysplace.org
