Domestic abuse accounts for almost a quarter of recorded violent crime in England and Wales, and its impact doesn’t stay at the front door. Showing support for your employees experiencing domestic abuse is a really important and potentially life saving way you can be there for your staff. This guide sets out how you can be more domestic abuse aware.
Domestic abuse has severe and sometimes fatal consequences. It is estimated that around two women a week and 30 men a year are killed as a result of domestic abuse in the UK. Alongside these deaths, research indicates that domestic abuse is also associated with an increased risk of suicide and self-harm among victims.
As well as the individual toll this takes, evidence shows there is also a significant impact on employers
In 2019 the Home Office estimated that the economic and social cost of domestic abuse in England and Wales was approximately £66 billion per year, including around £14 billion in lost economic output resulting from reduced productivity and time away from work.
In 2025 government publications have cited an updated estimate of £84.4 billion per year, highlighting the substantial and growing societal impact of domestic abuse.
Many victims remain in employment while experiencing abuse, and its effects can include difficulties concentrating, lateness, unplanned absence, reduced performance, barriers to career development and ultimately, loss of employment.
Domestic abuse can also extend into the workplace. Research suggests that up to 75% of employed victims experience harassment from an abusive partner while at work, including unwanted phone calls, emails, messages, stalking behaviour or unannounced visits to the workplace. Such behaviour can affect employee safety, wellbeing and productivity, while also impacting colleagues and the wider organisation.
Workplace awareness of domestic abuse can make a real difference to employee safety. Being explicit about organisational support for victims can help reduce stigma and make it easier for employees to disclose abuse. As an employer, you have a responsibility to provide a safe and supportive work environment.
This is what you can do to better support employees experiencing domestic abuse
- Develop a domestic abuse policy, which should make a clear statement that as an organisation you will not tolerate any violence or abuse either within the workplace or outside
- Provide flexible working arrangements and leave options, enabling time for legal, medical or safety-planning appointments
- Raise awareness internally by including information in inductions, display awareness posters, and share support resources
- Train managers and HR so they can recognise the signs and know how to respond safely
- Implement safety measures, including changing contact details, having robust lone working policies, reviewing building access and carrying out risk assessments
- Protect confidentiality – any information regarding a disclosure must remain completely confidential unless with the victim’s express permission, except where there is an immediate risk of serious harm
With clear policies, trained managers and champions and appropriate support systems in place, employers are better able to respond effectively and ensure that employees affected by domestic abuse are supported and safeguarded.
If you need any support or advice in dealing with domestic abuse in the workplace, please contact enquiries@oasisdaservice.org
If you’d like to explore training for your team, please contact training@oasisdaservice.org