UNISON Wins Workplace Security for Domestic Abuse Victims

UNISON won a crucial amendment to guarantee that domestic abuse protection orders (DAPOs) will also cover workplaces as the Domestic Abuse Bill passes through Parliament to become a law.

The new protection orders will replace the previous domestic violence protection orders in order to protect the victims from potential harassment from the perpetrators.

An order will avert perpetrators from accessing the victim’s residence or stop them from coming within a specific range of the residence. They are a preventive tool to preserve the victim’s security and provide some breathing space and recommendations to support services without interference from the perpetrator.

Currently, thanks to UNISON’s cross-party campaigning, abuse protection orders will expand their protection to victims’ work workplace to ensure that victims remain safe at work.

UNISON nationwide officer Josie Irwin stated: “The majority of us spend most of our time at work. We are pleased the government has concurred with UNISON’s amendment to the bill to expand protection orders to the workplace.

” It signifies much more victims can stay protected from harassment and threats at the workplace. It is a necessary acknowledgment that residence and job can not constantly be neatly divided.”

Victims of domestic abuse might be at higher risk of harm in their work environment, specifically if they ended a relationship with a controlling partner and their workplace is the only place they can be found. In 2010, Jane Clough was killed by her previous partner as she showed up for her night shift at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Because of this, UNISON has argued for years that domestic abuse is a workplace problem. The shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding, Jess Phillips, spearheaded the amendment to cover workplaces and won the backing of previous victims’ commissioner Baroness Newlove.

Domestic abuse protection orders will additionally cover various other places where a victim might be easily located, such as their place of worship or any children’s school.

In conclusion, UNISON believes there is so much that employers can do, together with trade unions, to identify indicators of domestic abuse and support their staff members. This might be by signposting them to solutions that can assist or being adaptable about time off to resolve a court case or finances.

Read the original article on UNISON South East.