A domestic abuse policy is set to be implemented to bolster protection for Gateshead Council employees. The new safeguards come amid reports that 75% of domestic abuse victims are targeted at work.
Gateshead Council’s cabinet has green-lit a new formal domestic abuse procedure for employees to be considered at full council next month. The council does currently have some guidance available for managers, however it is said to fall short of a “comprehensive policy”.
It will see managers trained to spot the signs of domestic abuse and report and respond to cases. Managers would also be able to seek advice from the council’s own domestic abuse team.
Employees experiencing domestic abuse could also access practical support including access to mobile phones, sim cards, food and essential vouchers and panic alarms.
Council documents state: “The absence of a policy can lead to a lack of clarity regarding how to deal with domestic abuse which may impact on an employees ability to maintain attendance and/or performance as well as exposing the council to potential legal liabilities.”
The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated that 2.3m people aged 16 and over (1.6m women and 712,000 men) experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2024. The Home Office has also estimated the costs, both social and economic, of domestic abuse at £66bn, £14bn of which is linked to time off work.
Council officers also stated that as many as 75% of those experiencing domestic abuse are targeted at work. A statistic backed up by a Equality and Human Rights Commission report.
A full council meeting is scheduled to take place on November 20 to formally adopt the policy.
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