The recent lockdown measures have highlighted the issue of domestic abuse. The LGA has provided additional guidance to local authorities on ways services can be supplemented or adapted to support domestic abuse victims.
Read the LGA’s guide to tackling domestic abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local authorities will also be aware that the Domestic Abuse Bill is working its way through Parliament.
The Bill will bring into law a statutory definition of domestic abuse that includes coercive or controlling behaviour, as well as emotional and economic abuse. The Bill will also provide police forces with new powers through the Domestic Abuse Protection Notice and Order, as well as place a duty on local authorities in England to provide support for victims of domestic abuse and their children in refuges and other safe accommodation. There is a wider package of non-legislative measures, which focus on raising awareness and increasing understanding of domestic abuse.
The stay-at-home measures required during coronavirus could place domestic abuse victims in more danger with greater exposure to those perpetrating the crime while at the same time traditional routes to help and support, such as schools, GPs and workplaces may be closed. Isolation will also mean that there are fewer opportunities to identify the early warning signs of abuse.
Councils play a large role in our communities to prevent domestic abuse from happening, rather than just tackling the impact of it. As employers they will also want to be proactive in raising awareness of the problem in their workplace and to be prepared to respond appropriately if employees disclose their experience of domestic abuse, whether that is during the coronavirus pandemic or beyond as lockdown restrictions ease.
Additional resources for employers
LGA model employer policy on domestic abuse
LGA workforce wellbeing resources
National Domestic Abuse Helpline is available 24 hours a day, for free and in confidence support on 0800 2000 247
The Bright Sky mobile app (free to download) provides support and information to anyone who may be experiencing domestic abuse or is concerned about someone they know.
The National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans* (LGBT) Domestic Violence Helpline provides confidential support to all members of the LGBT communities, their family, friends, and agencies supporting them on 0300 999 5428.
Men's Advice Line helpline provides a range of services aimed primarily at men suffering domestic abuse on 08450 646800.
Respect is UK domestic abuse organisation working with perpetrators, male victims and young people using violence in their close relationships on 020 7022 1801.
Following a public review in the summer of 2020, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has published a report called ‘Workplace support for the victims of domestic abuse’ (January 2021).
The report sets out an important body of evidence to help employers understand what works to create an inclusive, safe and healthy workplace for those experience domestic abuse.
The report outlines the critical role that employers play in helping to identify domestic abuse, the opportunities that employers have in providing support and access to specialist services and advice, and how employers can make use of employment rights, such as flexible working, to build good practice into helping survivors of domestic abuse in the workplace.