Domestic violence awareness event is a success! (From Swindon Advertiser)

Domestic violence awareness event is a success!

12:36pm Wednesday 23rd November 2011

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Organisers of a domestic violence event aimed at Swindon businesses have been delighted by the feedback and believe the occasion staged at Steam will have a positive impact.

The Swindon Mindful Employer Network got together with the Swindon Community Safety Partnership to stage ‘Domestic violence and abuse – what employers need to know’.

Melanie Richens, Chair of the Swindon Mindful Employer Network expressed her delight at the feedback and response from employers attending : “Domestic violence is a difficult subject for everyone concerned – particularly the victims. The truth is that domestic abuse can have a profound impact on the mental health and well-being of the victim. which can negatively effect their performance at work. This can so easily lead to the victim having a stressful home and work life – a situation employers can take steps to try and avoid.”

“My congratulations to everyone involved in organising the awareness session – and my thanks to the delegates who found time in their busy schedule to join us.”

A special one-off awareness session was staged at the Steam museum on Monday 21st November at 10.00am and featured expert advice to employers of all sectors and sizes.

The Swindon Community Safety Partnership and the charity Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse got together with the Swindon Mindful Employer Network which is managed locally by Richmond Fellowship Wiltshire. The event attracted top speakers including Neil Blacklock, a leading expert on domestic violence with the national charity Respect. Neil has recently worked with Refuge to produce the Domestic Violence Resource Manual for Employers and will be presenting alongside colleague Nicola Sharp who co-authored the manual. Lin Williams, Domestic Violence Co-ordinator of the Swindon Community Safety Partnership also provided a presentation.

Lin says of the event: “I am delighted that so many businesses from Swindon attended the event. The more places where victims feel safe enough to disclose what is happening to them and are able to access information means that the message is spread widely – that domestic violence isn’t acceptable and there is help available. You do not have to face this on your own.”

‘Domestic Violence and Abuse – what employers need to know’ also featured a discussion session chaired by BBC Wiltshire broadcaster Mark Jones and included Pride of Swindon winner Frank Mullane who runs AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse). Closing the event with a few reflections was Chief Inspector Lisette Harvey of Wiltshire Police. Among the delegates were the Mayor of Swindon and representatives of business groups such as the Chamber of Commerce and the Swindon FSB.

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