The Federal Government has launched a new toolkit aimed at improving the way unions, employers and business groups can support employees experiencing domestic or family violence and help them remain at work.

 

Minister for the Status of Women, Julie Collins, said the launch of the toolkit was a crucial step in addressing a particularly pernicious issue in Australian culture.

 

“Domestic and family violence is, unfortunately, more common in Australia than many people would like to think,” Ms Collins said at the launch of the Safe at Home, Safe at Work? Toolkit in Hobart earlier this week.

 

“It is also much closer to most people than they might think - almost two thirds of women who report domestic violence are in paid employment.

 

“Women who are experiencing domestic violence may find it hard to concentrate at work, or they may take a lot of time off, or often be late to work.

The Safe at Home, Safe at Work? toolkit can be downloaded at http://www.dvandwork.unsw.edu.au/what-you-need-know