Lockdown measures for tackling the COVID-19 outbreak have drastically altered people’s day to day lives. Many organisations have been preparing for a resulting increase in domestic abuse.

Employers and colleagues can be a lifeline for people living with domestic abuse – reassuring someone at risk that they are not alone, and signposting them towards help available.

Sandwell Council has compiled a wealth of valuable information including this briefing for professionals
and helpful, practical information for employers and employees.

The Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse website has a range of resources to support employers.

See also this toolkit from Business in the Community which can help employers deliver their duty of care in relation to domestic abuse.

Always remember that, if a situation is critical, call 999 and ask for the police. If you are in danger and unable to talk there are systems in place to help:
* Listen and try to respond to the operator’s questions by coughing or tapping the headset.
* On a landline, the operator will automatically connect to the police if they cannot establish if an emergency service is needed.
* On a mobile, the caller can use the silent solution system by pressing 55 when prompted by the operator to transfer the call to the police.
* If someone is unable to call 999 because of hearing or speech impairments, please consider registering with the emergency text service.