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Hidden in plain sight

24th of March 2022 Article by Fiona Bowman

Fiona Bowman is an ambassador of EIDA, an independent corporate domestic abuse consultant and managing director of Facilities Management Consultancy Dysart 57. Here she writes for ECJ about the issues surrounding domestic abuse and its implications for employers.

It is widely reported that one in four women and one in six men in workplaces in the UK will be affected by domestic abuse at some point in their lives. And whilst accounting for the experience of a significant proportion of victims, it might not always be through the traditionally identified forms of physical violence.

There are many different kinds of abuse including emotional or psychological abuse. Here, a perpetrator may repeatedly put someone down, play mind games, make the targeted individual feel they are to blame for everything or even making them think that they're crazy, commonly known as gaslighting. Abuse can also include controlling or coercive behaviour; stalking; economic abuse; violent or threatening behaviour; physical or sexual abuse; and so-called ‘honour'-based abuse and forced marriages.

The cost of domestic abuse to business is estimated at £60 billion per year through absenteeism, medical costs, staff turnover and even recruitment costs when people leave rather than disclosing the situation they are facing.

Often, people don't talk about domestic abuse. It is considered a taboo subject, that is often placed firmly in the "too difficult to talk about tray" by business leaders. Sometimes businesses are reluctant to put policies and procedures in place because they feel that it's not something that should be dealt with in the workplace.

The truth of abuse today

The unfortunate truth is that it's happening everywhere, hidden in plain sight. We have to accept that it's everyone's business and every day you will have victims, both male and female, coming to work, using the safety of the workplace as a haven and wanting to be treated with respect. Especially if home is where they are abused and violated.

For example, can you imagine how staff who are in abusive relationships felt when the Government told everyone they had to work at home? Terror? Fear? Dread? When the workplace is a haven, being "locked down" with your abuser whilst "working from home" is a horrendous prospect.

Unfortunately, it was reported during the 2020 lockdown that calls to London's Metropolitan Police increased by 60 per cent during this time but often by third parties, rather than the survivors themselves. The combined effect of survivors having fewer opportunities to report the abuse and neighbours having more might explain this change, alongside a heightened public awareness and a willingness to act.

In April 2020, the Home Affairs Committee said there was "evidence that cases are escalating more quickly to become complex and serious, with higher levels of physical violence and coercive control."

Karen Ingala-Smith, who runs the ‘Counting Dead Women' project, estimated that during the first three weeks of the first lockdown, there had been sixteen domestic abuse killings of women and children in the UK, which represents the highest rate for at least 11 years.

With more dispersed workforces, Cleaning companies need to think about how to get the message to employees that they will be supported and given help to access appropriate services depending on their circumstances. The charity UK Says No More has introduced a system for people to seek support at supermarkets and pharmacies. These "safe spaces" will continue to be accessible long after the pandemic has eased.

Furthermore, by opening up the conversation in the workplace, the industry can encourage people to feel safe and have these difficult conversations. It can be as simple as putting relevant information on a company's intranet or running awareness sessions and webinars. This will let people know that as a caring organisation, you are alert to the possibility that some of your staff, both male and female, may be affected by domestic abuse.

EIDA, the Employers Initiative on Domestic Abuse in the UK empowers businesses to take action for their employees. As a leading business network, which is free to join, it brings the expertise, experience and best practice of its members and partners together to provide practical guidance to any employer wanting to act. As an independent voice on behalf of businesses, they influence constructive change, working with Government, charities and opinion formers to stop domestic abuse.

Fiona will be speaking at the Manchester Cleaning Show on Thursday April 7 at 10.00 am, telling her inspirational story of how her employers assisted her in leaving a violent and abusive relationship and how with their support she managed to start a new life. Her session will offer a powerful message for employees who are currently suffering in silence - that there is a life after abuse. With some simple steps, for example, by joining EIDA, businesses everywhere can change futures and save the lives of their employees.

Join Fiona at the Manchester Cleaning Show by registering here and connect with Fiona online via Twitter (Fiona_Bowman) or LinkedIn (Fiona_Bowman MBA).