Domestic Abuse - The Workplace & Diversity

Mariama Grant

Ex UN Secretary General Kofi Annan stated that “Violence against women is

perhaps the most shameful human rights violation, and it is perhaps the most
pervasive. It knows no boundaries of geography, culture or wealth. As long as it
continues, we cannot claim to be making real progress towards equality,
development and peace.”

The first international human rights instrument to tackle violence against women
was the UN declaration in 1992.

Domestic violence is a major issue and is described as any threatening behavior,

violence or abuse between adults who are or have been in a relationship, or
between family members. It can affect anybody, regardless of their gender or
sexuality. It can be psychological, physical, sexual or emotional.

Domestic violence also referred to as domestic abuse and partner violence is

increasingly extending to the workplace impacting on the individual, employers,
work colleagues and the community. The workplace is becoming a place where
more and more women are turning to for help on this issue. Business leaders
accept that it has become a major issue affecting the workplace. There are many
companies and non profit organizations that are tackling this issue worldwide.

The Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence launched in the US in 1995 is a

leading force in fighting domestic abuse. It is the only National organization in the
US founded by business leaders and focused on the workplace. It comprises
progressive companies who collaborate on projects, share information and use their
influence to bring about change.

The CAADV in the UK is based on the successful US organization CAEPV and was
launched in 2005 by the Home Secretary and taken forward by Baronness Scotland.
It comprises a group of UK companies and organizations including the NHS working
together to tackle domestic abuse. The UK and the USA signed a memorandum of
understanding, committing to work together as partners.

In the UK this phenomenon costs British business not less than £.2.7 billion a year.

The Big Picture

This issue is part of a much wider one of discrimination in the workplace across
many communities. In the UK the public sector maintains a pioneering role in
addressing discrimination. With the changing demographic, diversity is set to
increase markedly over the next decade with communities becoming more diverse.
The need for an ever more sophisticated approach to tackle issues is urgent. In the
UK the development of Equalities and Diversity work underpinned by increasing
levels of legislation has ushered in new thinking and resulted in significant
improvements in service provision. It continues to be an area of growth and
development with interesting developments being observed in other countries. This
issue is global with countries having many different circumstances but all needing
to deal with the business of change in the way work is done.

Listed below are a number of options to get you involved.

-Support a women’s Refuge which supports families

-To recognize and raise awareness of the workplace as a place where domestic
abuse plays out

-Join a campaign group, network or other group that seeks to address domestic
abuse

-To contribute the Goldwaters Group online magazine on the issue and workplace
safety