Did You Know Domestic Abuse Could Be Affecting a Colleague Without You Realising?

October is Domestic Abuse Awareness Month and before you read any further, we want to share a trigger warning for anyone who may have experienced or is currently experiencing domestic abuse.   Details of specialist support can be found at the end of this article.

Domestic abuse is still a largely hidden issue that is not spoken about enough in our society. Often, it only becomes known when it reaches crisis point. Abusive behaviours can be subtle, difficult to spot from the outside and too often normalised by victims and those around them.

Change starts with awareness. By providing specialist domestic abuse training, highlighting abusive behaviours in policies and running internal awareness-raising campaigns, we can begin to challenge the harmful social norms and attitudes that allow abuse to remain hidden.

At Lincolnshire Action Trust  we believe that by speaking openly about domestic abuse, we can help break down stigma, shift beliefs and contribute to creating safer, more supportive workplaces for everyone.

The Impact of Domestic Abuse on Working Life

This year, our focus for Domestic Abuse Awareness Month has been the impact of domestic abuse on working life and what LAT is doing to support staff and clients who may be affected.

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone; however, women are disproportionately the victims.

It’s easy to underestimate how deeply domestic abuse can affect someone’s ability to function at work. A Department for Work and Pensions survey found that 56% of women experiencing domestic abuse are late for work at least five times a month and 53% miss at least three days of work per month. These statistics might seem extreme, but they show just how disruptive and consuming abuse can be. They are also a reminder of why we must continue to exercise professional curiosity with our colleagues, as well as our clients.

Creating Safer Spaces and Support

We work alongside agencies such as Women’s Aid, EDAN Lincs and Blue Door to ensure the safety of the client. We use holistic and trauma-informed interventions, working to help women in these difficult situations.

Over the past few months we have been working with our Domestic Abuse Trauma-Informed Champion to explore how we can make LAT a safer and more supportive place for colleagues who may be living with abuse. This work is rooted in empathy, understanding and the belief that everyone deserves to feel safe.

We’re now developing a confidential disclosure process for staff. This will sit outside our current reporting processes, meaning that if someone chooses to disclose, it will be handled privately.

We know how incredibly hard it can be to speak up. There’s often fear, shame and anxiety that come with disclosures, especially in the workplace. Our goal is not to expose anyone or push for disclosure, but to create safe spaces where support is available when someone is ready to reach out.

Training and Resources

Over the last month, our managers have undergone specialist training to equip them with the knowledge and skills to handle disclosures from staff with care and confidence. They will then be briefing their teams to explain what this new process means and how it can be accessed.

We will also be holding a briefing session for all staff, introducing the new disclosure pathway and reinforcing our message that confidential support is available. This sits alongside refresher training on domestic abuse to help everyone feel more informed and aware.

As members of the Employers Initiative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA), we have also been sharing resources, guidance and key messages from across the sector throughout the month. These materials will help us all better understand how abuse shows up, how it affects people at work, and how we can play a part in supporting those affected.

You Are Not Alone

If you are currently experiencing domestic abuse or are worried about someone else, please know you are not alone.

Let us continue working together to create a culture where it’s safe to speak up and where everyone feels supported at work and beyond.

If you have been affected by domestic abuse, please get in touch with LDAS, Blue Door and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.