Domestic Abuse workplace toolkit

This new NEU toolkit provides a model policy document, a checklist for school and college leaders, a checklist for reps and guidance on how to meaningfully adopt the policy in your workplace.

How to use this toolkit:

• Print out these NEU postersto raise awareness in your workplace
• Talk to your union group about why domestic abuse is a whole school/college issue
• Share the checklist for leaders with your head/SLT and discuss making your workplace more supportive to those experiencing, escaping and surviving domestic abuse.

Share your activities with your branch and email agreed policies to <a href="https://neu.org.uk/equality@neu.org.uk

What is domestic abuse?

Sometimes referred to as domestic violence, domestic abuse in the home can take many forms. The government defines it as “ Any incident of controlling, coercive or threatening behavior, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults, aged 16 and over, who are or have been intimate partners or are family members, regardless of gender and sexuality.’ This definition includes so-called ‘honour’-based violence, forced marriage and female genital mutilation. You can find more detail on the types of abuse in the NEU Model Policy Document and Domestic abuse and the Workplace Guide.

Who is affected by domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse happens across all social backgrounds and cultures and causes lifelong harm to victims and their children. Anyone  can be affected by domestic abuse. However, in the vast majority of cases, domestic abuse is experienced by women and is perpetrated by men.  

Disabled women are twice as likely to experience domestic abuse. Its estimated that four to nine in every 100 pregnant women are abused during their pregnancy or soon after the birth. Bi women and trans women are also particularly affected.

For other groups of people, the inequalities they face in society ,such as racism, disablism, homophobia and poverty will compound the impact of domestic abuse and pose challenges to seeking support.

What are the signs of domestic abuse?

Here are some possible signs to be aware of:

• Changes in behavior including uncharacteristic withdrawal, depression, anxiety, distraction or problems with concentration
• Changes in the quality of work for no apparent reason
• Arriving late or leaving early
• Reduced attendance or increased sick leave or high presenteeism without an explanation
• Needing regular time off for appointments
• Taking frequent or excessive calls during work time from a partner
• Repeated injuries or unexplained bruising or explanations that do not fit with the injuries
• Substance use/dependence
• Inappropriate or excessive clothing (that might be hiding injuries or bruising)

It’s not easy to spot the signs, or to start a conversation with someone you think may be being abused. Placing these posters in a prominent place and sharing our advice page can offer support and hope to victims.

All of these resources can be found here.

Please use the poster to raise awareness in your workplace.

If you weren’t able to attend the webinar, a recording will be available via our YouTube channel shortly.

equality@neu.org.uk