How White Ribbon Accreditation enables organisations to support their employees experiencing domestic abuse
Our Chief Executive Anthea Sully writes how White Ribbon Accreditation can enable companies to make the changes outlines in the letter from the Business Minister Paul Scully.
I welcome the letter from Business Minister, Paul Scully, to all businesses in the UK to outline what they could do to support victims of domestic abuse among their employees. This was on the back of a report that outlined the broad economic and social costs of domestic abuse. Home Office research found that in the year ending 31 March 2017, domestic abuse was estimated to have cost over £66 billion in England and Wales. The direct costs of the physical and emotional harms incurred by victims can often be unseen, but are considerable. There are also costs to the economy. Violence against women is everyone’s issue and workplaces can make a significant difference.
White Ribbon Accreditation can be a helpful and positive step for companies to take who want to respond to the minister’s letter. Accreditation applies to a whole organisation and must have the support and commitment of senior leaders. There are four criteria for becoming White Ribbon Accredited; Strategic Leadership, Changing Culture, Raising Awareness and Engaging with Men and Boys. We work with companies to develop a three year action plan that will set out how they are working to support your employees and make lasting change.
It has been really heartening for me to see just what organisations working with us have been able to achieve. I know that the actions of businesses can bring about powerful change within the organisation, transform the lives of their staff and help to create healthier and safer communities.