Women’s Health Victoria Reg. No A0029795W ABN 33365284944
Level 8, 255 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC Australia 3000
T
Postal Address GPO Box 1160, Melbourne VIC Australia 3001
Media Release
Monday 25th October, 2010
More workplaces need to take domestic violence seriously: WHV
Women’s Health Victoria today applauded moves by the Australian Services Union to
introduce a paid family violence leave clause in their workplace agreements, as a crucial
issue that affects occupational health and safety.
Executive Director of Women’s Health Victoria, Ms Marilyn Beaumont, said that measures to
support employees who are experiencing domestic violence makes good business sense.
Family violence can result in absenteeism, lost productivity, or acts of violence carried out at
work.
“It can also have ramifications on other colleagues, who might be uncertain about how to
intervene, fear for their own safety or experience distress.
“Supporting staff who are experiencing domestic violence can be done in a number of ways –
not just by putting it in workplace agreements. Workplace policies and procedures, staff
training and education are all good ways of equipping the workplace to respond to and deal
with the effects of violence.
“We at WHV have successfully implemented workplace domestic violence prevention
policies, training programs and leadership support. They have been extremely successful in
challenging violence supportive attitudes where they exist at work and at home.
“Workplaces can be positive places for the message that domestic violence is not tolerated.
The more businesses, leading men and women and sports people who speak out and address
violence against women, the better equipped we will be to mitigate the disturbingly high
levels of family violence and violence-supportive attitudes that we are seeing.
“Strategies to challenge domestic violence and support staff who may be experiencing it
makes workplaces safer and more respectful, thereby enhancing productivity,” said Ms
Beaumont.
For further information contact:
WHV Executive Director Marilyn Beaumont on 0419 597 516 or Media: Anaya Latter on 0432
121 636
NEWS 
