A new advice line to help employers support staff experiencing or at risk of domestic abuse has been set up by Hestia, one of its two new initiatives.
The Everyone’s Business Advice Line advises companies how to approach disclosures of domestic abuse by employees, particularly in light of Covid-19.
“More people have been working from home, which may not always be a safe space, and it may be more difficult for employers to notice changes in behaviour or when their staff are struggling,” said Hestia.
The organisation reports a 47% rise in downloads of its Bright Sky smartphone app, which records incidences of abuse, and an increase of more than 30% in people accessing its domestic abuse services during the pandemic.
Separately, Royal Mail has developed an online safe spaces portal, with help from Hestia, which can be installed on corporate websites for free. The service helps abuse victims access support and advice, while leaving no internet history trace.
Lyndsey Dearlove, who heads Hestia’s UK Says No More Campaign, added: “Businesses have a unique role to play in breaking the silence around domestic abuse and ensuring victims can access the help and support they need.”
