Swindon & Wiltshire News
Wiltshire employers urged to act as domestic abuse reaches crisis level
Swindon and Wiltshire employers are being urged to take part in an important survey as statistics show that incidents of domestic abuse in the county are rising to crisis levels.
Nearly 42,000 domestic abuse crimes or incidents were reported to Wiltshire Police between January 2019 and March 2024, highlighting the scale of an issue that continues to affect individuals, families and workplaces across the county.
This equates to more than 8,000 recorded incidents a year.
In Swindon alone, more than 3,200 domestic abuse-related incidents were recorded last year.
With national estimates suggesting only one in five incidents is reported, the true number of people affected in Swindon and Wiltshire is likely to be much higher – and this has a huge impact on employers.
In response to the scale of the problem, the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Coalition was started in an attempt to bring together the statutory bodies, charitable organisations and private individuals to help end violence against women and girls through education, empowerment and collaboration with our community and create a safer county for all.
By supporting EVAWG and completing the survey, James Phipps, a member of EVAWG and the Swindon business community said: “This should give us a real insight into the knowledge and practices in different organisations, so that we can help with support and education.
“If we can do that, then it will benefit both the individuals affected and the organisations as well, as employers.
“We also want to educate organisations to spot tell-tale signs and behaviours which could suggest that domestic abuse is happening and to offer help without judgment.
“We aim to collaborate more effectively, improve communication and help eliminate violence against women and girls at a local level.”
Simon Russell, CEO of Wiltshire FA is supporting the project and its aims.
“This is a major societal problem, and in any setting or context if we are sincere about making a positive difference, we have to understand the scale and impact of violence against women and girls,” he said.
“To truly make it the case that everyone feels they can be part of the national game, then we need to build on the work, clubs and others do to support the wellbeing of every player, coach and volunteer.”
Domestic abuse now accounts for close to 20 per cent of all reported crime in the UK and is estimated to cost the economy around £66 billion each year.
Of this, approximately £14 billion is attributed to lost productivity through sickness, lateness and unplanned absence, underlining the significant impact on employers as well as individuals.
Following a recent conference held at Swindon Town Football Club, EVAWG is now calling on local employers to contribute to a short survey focusing on employers and domestic abuse awareness.
The survey is open to employers of any size across the business, charitable and public sectors, with a particular emphasis on those in leadership roles.
It has been designed to take only a few minutes to complete and will help build a clearer picture of local awareness, policies and support mechanisms, enabling EVAWG to tailor guidance and resources for employers.
Will Stone, MP for North Swindon is also a representative of EVAWG Wiltshire.
“Employers are in a unique position to make a real difference,” he said.
“By understanding the challenges their staff may be facing at home and knowing where to signpost staff for help, workplaces can become safer, more supportive environments.
“This survey is an important first step in helping employers recognise their role and points them toward the right tools to support their teams.”
EVAWG Wiltshire is encouraging all local employers to take part in the survey, stressing that a supported and informed workforce benefits both employees and organisations.
“The findings will be used to inform future initiatives, training and resources aimed at reducing harm and improving outcomes across Wiltshire.”
