Efforts are being made for more support to be given to victims of domestic abuse, through giving them up to 10 days of paid leave. The Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Bill, presented by Alex McIntrye MP for Gloucester, is currently making its way through Parliament. If the proposed law is approved, it would entitle victims of domestic abuse to receive up to 10 days of paid leave, to allow them to access necessary support including but not limited to fleeing to safety, taking legal advice, attending police interviews, and medical appointments.

By potentially having 10 days of leave to support them, the proposed law will hopefully empower victims to prioritise their safety without worrying about losing their job and financial independence, where they might already be struggling financially due to fleeing abuse, and where evidence* has shown that women who experience abuse lose approximately £5,800 annually.

This development is an important one as many other countries such as New Zealand, Canada and Ireland already have paid domestic abuse leave in place, and with 1 in 4 women in England and Wales experiencing domestic abuse in their lifetime, a similar level of help could go a long way in helping them feel supported. It would also provide the impetus for employers to be more aware of the impact of domestic abuse, and potentially have policies in place that accommodate and support victims in the workplace, making the experience of victims that little bit easier, while retaining their staff. This seems to be especially important as the impact on employers due to domestic-abuse related absences is also vast.*

From my experience, in family law cases, victims of abuse almost always unfortunately find themselves in very difficult circumstances, juggling various commitments at once following the breakdown of a relationship and often at the expense of their own physical and mental health, as they gradually try to move on with their lives. The consequences of abuse can be far-reaching and the victims are human, deserving of the help and support they need. For many, employment can provide a degree of stability, and respite. If approved, the proposed law could quite significantly recognise that, and bolster the workplace as often the only beacon of stability in a world that is very fragile, for most victims of abuse.

Zarqa Farouq – Paralegal

Zarqa Farouq is a Paralegal in the Family team. She advises in divorce, finance and children cases. For a simple and sympathetic free no-obligation initial discussion on family matters in English or Urdu, Zarqa can be contacted on 0800 8 60 62 65.

*https://www.vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/press-release/new-research-shows-how-domestic-violence-and-abuse-affects-uk-workplace