Developing a workplace policy on domestic and sexual violence and abuse has a number of business benefits and can help support employees who are at risk.

What should a domestic and sexual violence and abuse policy include?

Use this checklist to ensure your policy covers the key areas: 

• policy statement outlining a commitment to a zero tolerance approach to domestic and sexual violence and abuse
• definition of 'domestic violence and abuse' and 'sexual violence and abuse' with facts and figures - see why domestic and sexual violence and abuse is a workplace issue (https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/why-domestic-and-sexual-violence-and-abuse-workplace-issue)
• reporting procedures including roles, responsibilities and contact details of human resources, line managers, employees and trade union representatives - see practical steps to support employees affected by domestic and sexual violence and abuse (https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/practical-steps-support-employees-affected-domestic-and-sexual-violence-and-abuse)
• practical measures to support employees, for example, diverting phone calls or alerting reception and security staff - see practical steps to support employees affected by domestic and sexual violence and abuse (https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/practical-steps-support-employees-affected-domestic-and-sexual-violence-and-abuse)
• list of support services - see counselling and support for domestic and sexual violence and abuse (https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/counselling-and-support-domestic-and-sexual-violence-and-abuse)
• commitment to prioritise confidentiality
• communication plan, for example, to publish the policy on the staff newsletter or handbook so that all staff can be made aware of it - see writing and communicating staff policies (https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/writing-and-communicating-staff-policies)
• staff training on the implications of domestic and sexual violence and abuse in the workplace and what the policy offers
• process for monitoring and reviewing the policy regularly 

Example policy

The Belfast Area Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse Partnership has produced an example policy - download 'domestic and sexual violence and abuse in the workplace: a model policy' (PDF, 983KB) (https://belfastdvp.co.uk/themainevent/wp-content/uploads/DV_Workplace-Policyfinalrebrandv3-1.pdf).