Better workplace support needed for survivors of domestic violence

​There are calls for workplaces to do more to support people experiencing domestic violence.

In New Zealand, Pacific peoples are 44 per cent more likely to experience physical or psychological family violence than palagi.

Support services provider​ Shine has a training programme called DVFREE, which helps businesses know what's expected.

Project lead Mira Taitz says there are some minimum entitlements for employees, whether domestic violence is in the past, or ongoing.

“They can access 10 days of domestic violence leave every year, and that's separate to all your other leave entitlements.

“That could be what people need in terms of getting counselling or support, or court or moving house, the legislation doesn't specify, it just says that it's to deal with the effects of family violence.”

Figures show 45 per cent of people experiencing family and domestic violence confide in someone at work.

Taitz says workplaces must have safety and wellbeing policies, and encourages management to put up posters in the office to raise awareness.

Speaking to Nemai Tagicakibau on 531pi’s Pacific Mornings, Taitz says things like making sure staff know where to access support and the employee handbook are important. 

“It's not about the workplace solving all your problems or telling you what to do, and so that's sustainable as well for the workplace.

“They have a role to play, then family violence specialists like Shine and Women's Refuge have a role to play in supporting the person in the rest of their life.”

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