Domestic & Family Violence - Walk in their shoes
When I think of White Ribbon Day and our role as employers in addressing domestic violence, the word protection comes to mind. I believe that we have a collective responsibility as a society to help those who are at risk of harm from others. We cannot be bystanders to a pattern of abuse which statistics indicate that it is likely occurring amongst our employees and their families.
One of the challenges of committing to a response to domestic violence is the traditional notion that to intervene would be intruding on someone’s personal life. Interestingly, when it comes to children we don’t have the same hesitation. In Australia, we are called upon to be proactive and take action to protect children from harm, to the extent that this is legislated through mandatory reporting.
I wonder if what prevents us from intervening when an adult is at risk of harm is the question of choice and responsibility. We tend to see adults as being able to make fully informed, well thought out, and rational decisions, that are in their best interests. When it comes to domestic violence however, this assumption may be misguided.
What I have come to understand and identify in regard to domestic violence, is that the heightened level of emotion in these relationships can motivate victims to make choices that place them in unsafe situations. The cycle of abuse is maintained because the perpetrator understands the emotional vulnerabilities of the other person and uses power to manipulate and control them. This can lead to misunderstandings and frustration around why someone stays in this type of relationship and does not “leave”. Victims are emotionally vulnerable and decisions around their safety are complex, this suggests that until we “walk in someone’s shoes” we cannot judge.
Domestic violence does not discriminate according to culture, gender, class, religion, or socio-economic background. Young people may be witnesses to violence between adults or may in fact be in an abusive intimate relationship with another young person. Domestic violence and family violence is a societal and cultural issue which requires challenging beliefs and stereotypes and encouraging a culture of respect in our workplaces. We can all make a difference by showing support and saying no to unacceptable behaviour and violence.
I see our role at AccessEAP as being critical to supporting employees who may be experiencing domestic violence and empowering organisations and managers who may be encountering domestic and family violence in the workplace.We offer a range of services to assist organisations and employees, from support to victims, advice to managers, education and awareness. We assist organisations who want to work towards creating a culture of respect, challenging the stereotypes and attitudes which contribute to inequality and disrespectful behaviour. Our professionals understand the complex dynamics involved in domestic violence situations, and offer strategies and support which take this complexity into account.
I am also very proud and pleased to announce that AccessEAP has started the process to become a White Ribbon accredited organisation. This is a natural next step for us as we make significant progress in this area and work toward our vision of creating mentally healthy workplaces. Please refer to this newsletter article for more on our Domestic Violence and Sexual Harrassment trainings in adddition to White Ribbon Approved Training.
