Domestic abuse awareness affects 2.3 million people annually in the UK, 1.6 million women and 712,000 men. Yet research from Vodafone reveals only 5% of employers maintain policies guiding staff on this critical workplace issue. This gap proves particularly concerning when 36% to 75% of employed victims face harassment from abusive partners at work.
Home Office data shows businesses lose £17 billion yearly through decreased productivity, absenteeism, and sick pay costs directly linked to domestic abuse. The broader economic impact reaches billions more across society. For many survivors, work represents their sole sanctuary, the one place where they might access support and maintain independence from their abuser.
Our team at Domestic Abuse Education believes that creating trained Domestic Abuse Champions within your organisation proves essential for supporting employees affected by domestic abuse. These Champions serve as knowledgeable contact points, equipped to recognise warning signs, respond sensitively, and connect colleagues with specialist support services.
Understanding Domestic Abuse as a Workplace Issue
The scale of the problem in the UK
Domestic abuse reaches every corner of British society. One in four women and one in seven men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. Recent data reveal 2.1-2.3 million people aged 16 and above experienced domestic abuse, with 1.4-1.6 million being women and around 750,000 men.
The workplace connection proves particularly striking. Research shows 75% of women experiencing domestic abuse face targeting at work, through harassing phone calls, unannounced partner visits, or direct physical assaults. Employment disruption follows predictable patterns: over 20% of employees require time off work annually because of domestic violence, while 2% lose their jobs entirely as a direct consequence.
How abuse affects employee wellbeing and performance
Workplace productivity suffers measurable damage when domestic abuse enters the equation. Evidence demonstrates clear patterns:
- 9% of participants experiencing domestic abuse reported negative impacts on work performance
- 56% of affected employees arrive late for work at least five times monthly
- 58% miss three or more days of work each month
- 38% face direct impediments to reaching their workplace
Mental health consequences prove equally serious. Domestic abuse frequently triggers depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. These psychological impacts manifest through reduced concentration, with employees reporting persistent distraction, fatigue, and illness while at work.
Why employers can’t ignore domestic abuse
Financial implications demand attention. Domestic abuse costs UK businesses over £2.7 billion annually, while broader productivity losses and absenteeism contribute to the £17 million figure mentioned earlier. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 establishes clear employer responsibilities, outlining that businesses must consider the impacts of domestic abuse as part of their duty of care obligations.
Work often represents the sole haven for abuse survivors, a space physically separated from their abuser where independence remains possible. Yet this sanctuary proves fragile. Violence continues at or near workplaces in 53.5% of cases, with 47% of survivors reporting their perpetrator appeared at work or stalked them there.
Workplace domestic abuse awareness extends beyond individual employees. Colleagues face direct consequences too; 25% of domestic abuse victims report their co-workers were harmed or threatened by their abuser.
What is a Domestic Abuse Champion?
Domestic Abuse Champions work alongside all employees as part of a wider workplace response. We advocate for all staff to attend awareness sessions, such as our Lunch & Learn events, to understand what abuse is and the signs someone may exhibit. Often, it’s the person sitting next to you who first notices changes or distress. Champions then provide the next step: a safe and informed contact for further help. This approach combines policy, training, and culture change, creating workplaces where people feel able to seek support.
Our CPD-accredited training covers:
- What domestic abuse is and the many forms it can take
- The cycle of abuse and common myths
- Recognising signs, responding sensitively, and referring to support
- Barriers to disclosure
- How to use the Workplace Personal Safety Plan
- How to maintain personal and professional boundaries
This framework equips Domestic Abuse Champions with the confidence, tools, and understanding needed to make a real difference in the workplace.
Core responsibilities
Champions serve as organisational leads on domestic abuse through starting conversations and creating vital connections between victims/survivors and professional support services.
Champion responsibilities include several key elements:
- Awareness & Education – Champions increase understanding of what domestic abuse is (not just physical violence, but also coercive control, emotional, financial, and other forms of abuse).
- First Point of Contact – They act as a safe, approachable person that colleagues can turn to if they are experiencing abuse or are worried about someone else.
- Signposting & Support – Champions don’t provide counselling or specialist services. Still, they know how to listen, respond sensitively, and direct people to the proper professional support (e.g. HR policies, helplines, local services).
- Advocating for Change – Champions encourage a supportive workplace culture by challenging stigma, promoting training, and ensuring domestic abuse is recognised as a workplace issue.
How Champions support affected colleagues
Champions create a significant difference through peer support delivered in confidential settings. Evidence shows that their impact proves immediate; one Champion received contact within days of their organisation launching its policy, demonstrating how accessible support can transform workplace dynamics.
Champions listen without judgment to colleagues experiencing domestic abuse. They explore workplace safety measures, develop action plans, and ensure proper implementation. These individuals need not be experts; they know where appropriate help exists and ensure survivors never face their situation alone.
The importance of confidentiality and trust
Confidentiality stands out as the foundation of effective Champion support. Champions understand that conversations with employees experiencing abuse require complete privacy and respect unless there is a safeguarding issue, where intervention is needed. All shared information must be stored securely, with clear protocols in place for situations where confidentiality boundaries need to be adjusted, specifically when children or vulnerable adults are at risk.
Trust-based approaches help Champions create safe spaces where employees affected by the issue speak openly without fear of stigma. This method breaks through the isolation many abuse victims experience, establishing the workplace as a genuine sanctuary for those suffering in private.
Supporting Employers and Champions Through Expert Training
Our CPD-Accredited Training Approach
Domestic Abuse Education offers CPD-accredited training designed specifically for HR professionals, wellbeing leads, line managers, mental health first aiders and anyone else who would like to empower themselves on this topic. What makes DAE different is Sharon’s voice, which is honest and grounded in lived experience, resonating deeply with attendees rather than relying on theoretical case studies. Our approach fosters a safe and respectful learning environment where individuals leave feeling confident, capable, and prepared to support their colleagues.
Training Framework: Recognise, Respond, Refer
Our training centres on three practical elements:
- Recognise– Being aware of the signs that a victim/survivor may show, both in person, or whilst working in a hybrid/remote position
- Respond– How to approach each situation, using the correct language and without judgment.
- Refer– Provide effective signposting to specialist support services, along with making adjustments within the workplace, including accessing our Workplace Personal Safety Plan.
Flexible Training Options
We deliver training both virtually and face-to-face, with sessions typically lasting 3 hours. Small groups of up to 15 participants ensure personalised attention throughout. Active participation remains optional, allowing attendees to engage at their comfort level.
Practical Resources and Templates
Training participants receive a Certificate of Attendance, CPD points, an Information Booklet, a Toolkit, a DA Champion Pin Badge, an Email Signature Badge, and a Workplace Personal Safety Plan. We also provide access to Sharon’s Policy, our free, legally reviewed domestic abuse policy template in collaboration with industry partners. These resources offer everything needed to implement adequate workplace support immediately.
Conclusion
Domestic abuse affects millions across the UK, yet workplace support remains critically underdeveloped. Domestic Abuse Champions create vital connections between affected colleagues and specialist support services. These trained individuals recognise warning signs, respond with sensitivity, and ensure no employee faces abuse alone.
Only 5% of employers currently maintain domestic abuse policies, despite the clear business case for action. Costs UK businesses billions of pounds annually through lost productivity and absenteeism. More importantly, your workplace may represent the only safe space where survivors can access help and maintain independence.
Our CPD-accredited training equips Champions with practical skills rather than theoretical knowledge. Participants receive policy templates, resources, and access to our ongoing Champions Network. This creates sustainable support frameworks within your organisation.
Workplace policies demonstrate a genuine commitment to staff wellbeing. Combined with trained Champions, these policies establish safe reporting channels and clear pathways to help. Your Champions understand where to direct colleagues and how to maintain crucial confidentiality.
Your network of Champions makes the difference between isolation and support for vulnerable employees. Download our resources, implement Sharon’s Policy, and join our Champions Network.
When we educate, we save lives.
FAQs
Q1. What is a Domestic Abuse Champion in the workplace? A Domestic Abuse Champion is a trained employee who serves as a point of contact for domestic abuse issues within an organisation. They are equipped to recognise signs of abuse, provide confidential support, and refer affected colleagues to specialist services.
Q2. How does domestic abuse impact the workplace? Domestic abuse significantly affects workplace productivity and performance. It can lead to increased absenteeism, reduced concentration, and mental health issues among affected employees. The financial impact on UK businesses is estimated to be over £2.7 billion annually.
Q3. What training does Domestic Abuse Education (DAE) offer for employers? DAE offers CPD-accredited training for HR professionals, wellbeing leads, and line managers. The training covers recognising signs of abuse, responding appropriately, and referring to support services. It’s available both online and in-person, with flexible delivery options.
Q4. How can employers implement a domestic abuse policy? To implement a domestic abuse policy, employers should define domestic abuse, outline support measures, involve HR and leadership, set up confidential reporting channels, and use awareness materials. It’s crucial to develop the policy in consultation with employees and union representatives.
Q5. Why is it important for workplaces to address domestic abuse? Workplaces play a crucial role in supporting domestic abuse survivors, as they often represent a safe space away from abusers. By addressing this issue, employers fulfil their duty of care, improve employee wellbeing, and potentially save lives while also mitigating productivity losses and legal risks.
