Workplace support for employees experiencing violence
Technology-facilitated abuse and the role that workplaces can play in supporting people experiencing family and domestic violence is the focus of an upcoming community forum.
Mosman Council, working with Mary’s House Services and the Mosman Chamber of Commerce, is hosting the ‘Safe Workplaces, Strong Communities: Domestic Violence’ forum on Monday 15 June, 5.30pm to 7pm, at Allan Border Oval Pavilion.
The free session is aimed at local business owners and employers and will provide practical insights into how domestic and family violence can impact the workplace, and what employers can do to create safer, more supportive environments for their staff.
The event will bring together speakers from frontline support services, and technology and legal sectors to discuss issues including coercive control and technology-facilitated abuse.
Stephen Wilson, CEO of the Protective Group, is one of the panel of professionals.
"Technology facilitated abuse doesn't discriminate on postcode or wealth,” he said.
“In fact, we see a direct correlation between rising interest rates in an economic downturn and an increase in domestic and family violence.
“Out of court settlements and coercive control orders increase."
Mary’s House Services CEO Yvette Vignando welcomed the community initiative.
"Domestic and family violence does not stop at the workplace door, and this forum will provide local businesses with valuable insights into emerging issues including technology-facilitated abuse, workplace responsibilities, and practical ways to support employees experiencing violence,” she said.
“We encourage businesses across the region to take part in this timely and important conversation."
Council’s Community Services Manager Bob Barr said the aim was to help local businesses better understand and respond to domestic and family violence, providing practical information and increasing community awareness.
"The forum is part of a broader commitment by our Council to support victim-survivors, strengthen local understanding of domestic violence, and encourage businesses and the wider community to play an active role in recognising and responding to this important issue,” he said.
“While we recognise there is no single solution to ending domestic and family violence, ongoing education, awareness, partnerships and community support are critical steps in moving closer towards its eradication.”
A study by Monash and RMIT universities, funded by Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) and the Department of Social Services, found one in two Australians will be victims of technology-facilitated abuse in their lifetimes, and one in four will be perpetrators of such abuse.
Australian Institute of Criminology research shows that perpetrators of domestic and family violence are increasingly using advancements in communication and surveillance technologies to extend their abuse tactics.
Register for the Mosman event at trybooking.com/DMFHZ