Tackling domestic abuse should be everyone’s business, says leading law firm

Following reports that 1.9 million working-age adults have been affected by domestic abuse in the last year, national law firm Thompsons Solicitors has today (13 December 2018) announced its support for the GMB union’s ‘Work to Stop Domestic Abuse’ charter.

The firm has signed the five-point charter and pledged to deliver on its aims in full by Autumn 2019 in order to ensure staff across its network of 17 offices have access to support, services and information if they experience domestic abuse.

The charter, which was launched by the GMB at a House of Commons meeting is underpinned by the following requirements for signatory employers to:

1. Help employees experiencing domestic abuse access support services and information confidentially;
2. Ensure that those experiencing domestic abuse will not be disadvantaged within the terms and conditions of their employment and will take all reasonable measures to facilitate any needs in the workplace;
3. Commit to working with other organisations to facilitate best support for those experiencing domestic abuse;
4. Provide all employees with access to toolkits, information and our policies on domestic abuse, in a format that is easily and discretely accessible within the workplace;
5. Ensure that employees are trained across the organisation, to provide adequate access to support within the workplace for all employees.

Time to stand up and make a change

“When almost two million people are living in fear of domestic abuse each and every year, it’s time to stand up and take collective action to make a change,” said Michelle Cronin, director of people, finance and infrastructure at Thompsons Solicitors.

“Thompsons has fought to promote and protect people’s rights in their everyday lives, and at work, throughout our almost hundred-year history. We could not continue to fight for social justice without the ongoing commitment of our staff, and looking after their wellbeing is a key part to us being a great place to work.

“Domestic abuse compromises peoples safety, welfare and esteem and as a responsible employer we need affected employees to know they have access to safe, confidential support. 

“According to charity Safe Lives, on average 85% of people sought help five times from professionals before they received effective help to stop the abuse they were facing. The GMB’s ‘Work To Stop Domestic Abuse’ employer charter offers us a framework to proactively support people from our organisation who may otherwise be suffering in silence, and make those all-important contacts count.”