Women’s Refuge urges cross Parliament support of Domestic Violence Workplace Bill

Media Release
1st December 2016

Women’s Refuge encourages Parliament to support MP Jan Logie’s Bill that calls for a law change to provide paid leave for victims of family violence. The Bill was drawn from the Ballot today and will shortly come before Parliament.

“We know that family violence has a significant impact on workplaces. This is an area that Women’s Refuge has been working with various organisations to make progress in. If we are to be serious about ending the horrific family violence rates, we need to be considering every way that we can help people experiencing it. People spend eight plus hours a day at work, there is a huge potential here to support people where they are spending the largest part of their day,” says Women’s Refuge Chief Executive Dr Ang Jury.

“While there are organisations such as The Warehouse, Countdown and the ANZ that have already implemented policy to support employees that are experiencing family violence, we think that this is something that should be universal, a right for all staff of any organisation.

“Organisations with this policy already in place will confirm that it is providing exactly what was intended; in addition they’ve seen a shift in workplace culture and attitudes towards family violence, as well as the positive impacts on business.”

The Member’s Bill suggests a law change to provide for 10 days of paid leave to help people experiencing family violence. The 10 days of paid leave in any calendar year could be used for medical appointments, legal proceedings, and other activities related to family violence.

ENDS

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