Health, Safety and Environment

A Guide to Dealing with Domestic Abuse for CWU Members

What is Domestic Abuse?

• Physical, sexual, psychological or financial violence which takes place within an intimate or family-type relationship and which forms a pattern of coercive and/or controlling behaviour.
• It can include forced marriage and so called "honour crimes"

Who suffers from domestic abuse?

• Domestic Abuse occurs regardless of ethnicity, religion, class, age, sexuality, disability or lifestyle
• It occurs in a range of relationships-straight, gay, married, living together
• Women are the overwhelming majority of the most heavily abused

Is domestic abuse a union issue? – YES!

The impact of Domestic Abuse can affect an employee’s performance and/or attendance and therefore threatens job security. A good employer will have a Domestic Abuse policy, or you may prefer to approach your Union rep first. Some victims of Domestic Abuse wrongly feel responsible or embarrassed about the treatment they re suffering and therefore feel uncomfortable talking to other family members or friends. The CWU is there for you and we understand the need for discretion.

What can the CWU do?

You can receive confidential advice and support from your local representative. Where there are policies in your workplace your rep will make sure you know about them and make sure they are followed, if that is your wish.

Although our reps are not trained councillors they can give some practical support:

• If you just want someone to talk to, we can help
• If you want some advice with how your home life is affecting your work, we can help
• If you want to escape from an abusive relationship, we can help
• If you want to know your rights, we can help
• If you think you know someone who is suffering from Domestic Abuse, we can help