The Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, Lord Willy Bach, has added his signature to the GMB's Work to Stop Domestic Abuse Charter.
The charter calls on employers to support employees experiencing domestic abuse by ensuring that:
- Workers experiencing domestic abuse will not be disadvantaged at work
- Workers will be supported with access to services and information
- Employers provide appropriate training to ensure that staff who are victims of domestic abuse are supported appropriately and confidentially.
Lord Bach was joined for a socially distanced photo call at Leicestershire Police HQ by Leicestershire Police's Assistant Chief Constable, David Sandall, and Leicestershire GMB Branch Secretary, Steve Alexander.
GMB Midland & East Coast Police Staff Branch Secretary, Yvonne Davidson said:
"I'm really pleased that Lord Willy Bach has signed up to add his name to the GMB Domestic Abuse Charter as the Police & Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire".
As the Secretary of the GMB Midland & East Coast Police Staff Branch, it’s clear to me that Domestic abuse is also a workplace issue and needs to be recognised as such. GMB members in police forces across the region will welcome police authority leaders taking steps like this to ensure greater protection for them and their colleagues.
Our branch and our union will be working hard to promote the campaign within police forces across the region and across the whole of the UK".
On signing the charter, Lord Willy Bach said:
"The GMB does an excellent job in representing its members on the Leicestershire Police staff. This new campaign is very timely.
The continuing COVID-19 emergency has brought the challenge of domestic abuse into sharp focus. Lockdown restrictions have driven a fall in crime overall, but worryingly, the number of domestic abuse-related offences recorded in England and Wales exceeded 840,000 in the year ending September 2020. An increase of 10% nationally. A similar pattern can be observed here in Leicestershire.
Research suggests that one in four women and one in six men will experience domestic abuse during their lifetimes. The impact can be catastrophic. Employers can make a big difference by supporting victims, looking out for the early warning signs of domestic abuse, and by providing employees with access to information and support services.
Leicestershire Police has well-established policies in this area, but there is always room to do more. I'm delighted to be signing the GMB Charter today. I will continue to work with the force to ensure that we take a proactive approach to support victims of domestic abuse, both within the police workforce and in the wider community."
Leicestershire GMB Branch Secretary, Steve Alexander said:
"This is an important step in our unions campaign to ensure domestic abuse is recognised as a workplace issue. I'm deligted Lord Willy Bach has added his voice to this campaign and hope it enocurages employers accoss Leicestershire to join us in adding their voice to this campaign.
