Domestic and Family Violence in the workplace
Our Industry has a predominantly female workforce so we need workplace strategies that addresses Domestic and Family Violence in every organisation
CSIA partners with Basic Rights Queensland, WorkHaven and Government to bring together the information and resources you need to develop your Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) workplace strategy.
We consulted with community services workers in a series of conversations to share stories about what works, what doesn’t and how we can work together as an Industry to better respond to employees experiencing violence. We explore the stigma associated with our workers asking for help and the importance of an intersectional approach to creating safe workplaces.
Get started on your workplace approach
Designing your workplace strategy
Shift your workplace from simply having DFV policies and procedures to a more holistic workplace approach
Creating a safe workplace culture
Explore simple steps you can implement today to create a workplace where staff feel safe and included
Taking an intersectional approach
Find out about the tools and resources available to take an intersectional approach in your response
Addressing stigma for community services workers
As an Industry we need to work together to address and remove the stigma associated with community services workers asking for help.
Through consultation with Industry we know that often people who work in community services, particularly DFV services, feel that they shouldn’t need to ask for help.
Workplaces can address this stigma through having a safe workplace culture and awareness raising.
Sharing stories of community services workers who are experiencing DFV, from frontline workers through to people who are in more senior management roles, may help.
Free Resources
We have a suite of posters and flyers created in consultation with community services workers you can download and use in your workplace today to start the conversation.
This work was funded by the Queensland Government Department of Justice and Attorney-General Investing in Queensland Women program.
Related Resources
- Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety. (2018). Violence against women: accurate use of key statistics (ANROWS Insights 05/2018). https://www.anrows.org.au/publication/violence-against-women-accurate-use-of-key-statistics/
- Fair Work Ombudsman, (n.d.). Employer guide to domestic and family violence. Australian Government. https://www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/family-and-domestic-violence-leave/employer-guide-to-family-and-domestic-violence; McFerran, L. (2011). Safe at home, safe at work? National domestic violence and the workplace survey (2011). University of New South Wales, Gendered Violence Research Network. https://www.arts.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/documents
- McFerran, L. (2011). Safe at home, safe at work? National domestic violence and the workplace survey (2011). University of New South Wales, Gendered Violence Research Network. https://www.arts.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/documents
- Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse (ADFVC). (2011). Submission to Consolidation of Commonwealth Anti-Discrimination Laws Discussion Paper. Access Economics. (2004); The cost of domestic violence to the Australian Economy. Report for the Australian Government’s Office of the Status of Women. Laing, L., & Bobic, N. (2002); Economic costs of domestic violence: Literature review. Sydney: Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse, University of New South Wales. Pricewaterhouse Coopers. (2006); Driving the bottom line: Improving retention. http://www.pwc.com/en_US/us/hr-saratoga/assets/saratoga-improving-retention.pdf.