Domestic Violence – It’s Everyone’s Business

The Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women, Senator the Hon. Kay Patterson, today launched a training manual to help businesses around Australia to recognise and respond to domestic violence.

“Domestic violence impacts on the whole community – including the corporate sector,” Senator Patterson said.

“Businesses need to be aware about the serious impact that domestic violence has on their employees. This training manual and the accompanying handbook will help companies to understand and recognise domestic violence and to respond to their staff in a sensitive and professional way,” Senator Patterson said.

The training manual and handbook were developed as part of the Australian Government’s $50 million Partnerships Against Domestic Violence initiative.

The training manual includes a handbook for staff and 6 training modules, exercises and worksheets, as well as a PowerPoint presentation, sample policies, workplace messages and ideas for prevention activities in the workplace.

To date, there have been more than 230 innovative projects funded through Partnerships Against Domestic Violence at the local, regional and national level, including the Australian Government’s current multimedia campaign: Violence Against Women. Australia Says NO!

“These resources provide practical help to business and their employees, and demonstrate the Government’s continued commitment to addressing domestic violence through all sectors of the community.’ Senator Kay Patterson said.

Copies of the manual are available from the Office of the Status of Women, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet on (02) 6271 5169.

The Violence Against Women. Australia Says NO! confidential helpline number is 1800 200 526.