A social entrepreneur who has spent 20 years supporting survivors of domestic abuse and raising awareness has urged employers to make tackling the issue their business.

Reports of domestic abuse rocketed during lockdown.

Julie Johns MBE, Founder of Safe Space, said that many people hear of domestic abuse issues, and then assume that because they’re not directly involved it is not their business.

However, Julie said: “The impacts of domestic abuse can spread and filter through society, and it’s important that in both business and social life we all do what we can to stop domestic abuse.

“My personal vision is a world free from violence and abuse.

“My business aim is to contribute towards this vision through engaging businesses to create safe and healthy workplaces where the message is abuse, stalking and harassment is unacceptable.

“This is a vision that we all should strive towards, as 2.4 million people are affected by domestic violence in the UK every year.

“This is not the fault of the victim, but the power of the perpetrator and the unwillingness from wider society to discuss this subject properly.

“By raising awareness and making domestic abuse everyone’s business, we can all make a difference.

“Through lockdown, things have become more difficult.

“People have been made to stay in the home, and in abusive households that can cause problems to spiral.

“It is all of our jobs to make sure employees are safe and comfortable in their homes and at work, and 86 per cent of employers agree that they have a duty of care over workers.

“However, under a third of victims disclose their abuse at work.”

Julie said employers can support an employee by recognising the signs including

• A change in behaviour (i.e panic attacks or lack of productivity)
• A reluctance to leave the workplace
• Constant contact from the partner, or the partner asking colleagues for information

Similar signs can also be seen when working from home.

Employer responses include

• Keep in touch regularly and ask about their wellbeing
• Always assume the perpetrator is in the room, so stay generic
• Engage in training, so you can understand domestic abuse
• Implement a domestic abuse policy in the workplace

For national and local domestic abuse support services, a PDF can be downloaded here.

Julie, who was made a MBE last year for services to people suffering domestic abuse and to charity, added: “If you follow these steps, you’ll be doing your part in supporting the victims of domestic abuse and joining the thousands of businesses already making a stand.”

• www.safespaceconsultancy.org