Media Release
March 11 2008
What happens when domestic violence comes to work?
If
one of your colleagues came to work regularly with bruises and injuries
what would you do? If a man fronts up to your offices and is
threatening, abusive and belligerent to his partner what should the boss
do?
While research shows that one in four women may be affected by domestic violence, there is little understanding of what happens when domestic violence impacts on a woman’s working life.
Researchers at UniSA are working on a three-year research project to examine how domestic violence effects women’s jobs and their employability and to identify program and policy changes that will help women affected by domestic violence maintain economic stability.
As part of the study they will be launching a statewide confidential phone-in on March 14 and 15 to get a broad picture of the impact of domestic violence on women’s work and study.
The phone lines will be open from 1pm to 7pm Friday March 14, and 11am to 3pm Saturday March 15.
Callers can telephone 1800 188 158 or 8303 0590.
UniSA’s Associate Professor Suzanne Franzway says research into this specific area in Australia is limited.
“US research shows that between 50 and 74 per cent of working women who are victims of violence in the home are also harassed by their partners at work,” Prof Franzway says.
“We can guess that there is a similar incidence here, affecting the 55 to 70 per cent of Australian women who have experienced domestic violence and are working full or part time.
“The impact of domestic violence on work and study is particularly important for women because their job security can be affected.
"We know that perpetrators of domestic violence use a range of tactics including stalking at work, threats, assaults, abusive phone calls, even extending aggression to co-workers and employers.
“Depending on the culture of the workplace women are often fired or leave their job which is probably one of the worst things that can happen to a woman in this situation because it isolates her further and cuts off her income.
“Through the phone-in we hope to get a clearer picture of the problems women face, the obstacles they may confront in the workplace, and the full impact of domestic violence on women’s work, study and financial stability.”
Prof Franzway says the phone-in will add to data already collected from key stakeholders and a literature review of other local and international research findings.
The project is being funded by the
Department for
Families and Communities and is managed through the
Office for Women-Women’s Safety
Strategy and the research will help to improve and inform policy across
a range of organisations which are part of the reference group fro the
project including SafeWork SA,
Working Women’s Centre,
SA Unions, Office for Women,
Department of Health and
Business SA.
Media contact
-
Michèle Nardelli office (08) 8302 0966 mobile 0418 823 673
email michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au