This Working Life

Matt Elliott: Employers have a part to play in tackling domestic abuse

Bank of Ireland’s new policy on employee wellbeing aims to create a working culture and environment that is safe and supportive for all colleagues

Under the new policy, Bank of Ireland will provide both financial and non-financial support to colleagues in an abusive situation. Picture: Getty

Domestic abuse is a pervasive issue that is not defined by gender, socio-economic background, age, ethnicity, race, sexuality, religion or disability. And it can take place in all different forms of relationships.

In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Women’s Aid reported a 38 per cent increase in calls to its 24-hour National Freephone Helpline compared with 2019. While women are disproportionately affected by domestic abuse – one in four experience it by the age of ...