This is why the Corporate Alliance has campaigned to raise the issue up the boardroom agenda at companies in the UK.

However invasions of the workplace by abusers must be considered alongside every aspect of domestic violence; physical, emotional, in the home, in public or at work.

This is why the Corporate Alliance is now aligning its efforts with those of other groups and organisations in the UK and overseas.

Why are we in America?

During June 2015, a delegation from the Corporate Alliance led by our Patron, Baroness Scotland QC visited the United States to meet with policy makers, legislators and employers.

The Baroness sought to emphasise our belief that as a global phenomenon, domestic violence is a profound and widespread problem which needs collective action and a singular focus to bring about change.

The Corporate Alliance does what it can by putting a spotlight on the potential role employers can play in identifying the signs of domestic violence amongst their staff. However there is a considerable way to go if it is to be the subject of a clear framework like those achieved by the anti-racism lobby.

In relation to this issue, the anti-racism pressure groups are years ahead; a culture of reporting and dealing with racist incidents is part of the handbook at every employer in the developed world and victims feel comfortable coming forward to tell others about their concerns, knowing that they will be protected and their anonymity maintained.

Our worry is that action to stop domestic violence will not gain the same kind of acceptance in society without more co-ordination from employers, public bodies, student groups, clubs and associations; anywhere that communities congregate and coalesce.

The Corporate Alliance’s time spent in the US will offer a unique insight into the ways that other groups tackle the issue of domestic violence. I know as a lawyer handling cases of this nature that abuse can manifest in so many ways, no single view or categorisation can define it.

Hopefully, with the will and determination of our group and our partners in the US and elsewhere, we will be able to build a society that increasingly protects victims and starves abusers of opportunity to cause further harm.

Written by Emma Pearmaine, Director of Family Services at Simpson Millar solicitors

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Today our delegation has had the privilege of meeting a wonderful array of advocates and senior policy makers and employers on domestic and gender based violence in the United States. We find we are all facing many of the same challenges and sharing our learnings of best practice and what we need to do next to continue our work includes innovation and a holistic approach.

Our first meeting was with the DC Mayor’s office, DC Victim Services and the Vice President of the National Network to End Domestic Violence. It was exciting to speak of outcomes and conjoined working – with employers, young people as we address impacts of domestic violence in society.

Our meeting with the Office of Violence Against Women at the US Department of Justice gathered a diverse group of professionals improving the civil and criminal justice service on both sexual and domestic violence.

Our final meeting was with Centre for Health and Gender Equity We had dialogue for the need of concerted effort to address sexual violence and domestic violence.

Our evening was Baroness Scotland addressed a key group influencers with a keen interest in collaborating to create change for people impacted by domestic violence.

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Today is the start of our American visit.  This is our first blog of a series we are bringing to you from the United States. We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to meet with leading experts and key influencers in Washington D.C. and New York City to work in collaboration and share best practice.

This is a journey we have been on for more than 10 years.  Throughout which we have gathered some of the most amazing people in the world, who are not only committed to working together but are standing with us to help keep victims of domestic violence safe.

The journey over the last 5 years has been intense, where we have learnt that there is no country or community that has not been touched by domestic violence. We have been privileged to have people from all parts of society walking this journey with us.

This eclectic mix of spirit, passion, energy and commitment from such diverse people has enabled us to hope that the reduction of the violence we are seeing will be maintained and hopefully extended to many more nations.

As part of our journey, we hope to build the next generation of domestic violence heroes, helping to eliminate DV in their own communities.  These heroes will come from all sectors of society and particularly from our young people, who can change the paradigm and help create a world free from violence and abuse.

The US, like all other countries, is in the grip of this pernicious phenomena; the opportunity to meet with people who are fighting so hard is a real privilege.  We hope the consolidation of our efforts will enable us to deliver the change we seek.  This is the start but this is not the end and all of us are looking forward to sharing and learning. We are confident we will receive much more than we give. We hope that through greater understanding of what works and collaboration we can work together to achieve this.

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November 25^th marked the start of the 16 Days of Action Campaign. This is an international campaign that started in 1991; since then, over 5,000 groups in almost 200 countries have taken part. The campaign is designed to support people in local communities and organisations worldwide, raising awareness on the issues of domestic violence. If you missed my previous article or have not yet implemented anything to address domestic violence within your workplace wellbeing strategy, hopefully the campaign will act as a focal point to inspire change.

What can your organisation do?

• Develop a domestic violence policy including signposting employees towards support. This will underpin the health and wellbeing culture of your organisation.
• Raise awareness of your wellness programme. People who are impacted by domestic violence often feel they have no one to speak to – targeted promotion of your Employee Assistance Programme towards sufferers of domestic violence can offer a valuable avenue of support.
• Ensure support is available through accredited and specialist trained HR and practitioner professionals.

Organisations such as the Corporate Alliance Against Domestic Violence provide advice and a range of services across each of these areas. The Alliance has also developed a website to help organisations with communication and awareness. Melissa Morbeck, Corporate Alliance Director, says the website “allows organisations to engage in a way that is most relevant to their workplace”. The toolkit is particularly useful, and includes posters, podcasts and briefing notes.

16 Days of Action is an excellent way to raise awareness but I would urge you not to just be aware, but to do what it says on the tin – take action.

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