National Family & Domestic Violence Training and Consulting

Defining family & domestic violence?

“any abusive behaviour that is used to control someone in a family, family-like or intimate relationship, and makes that person afraid for their safety and wellbeing or the safety of another person” (Safe & Equal, 2025).

did you know?

In Australia, violence against women is called many different things, including domestic violence, family violence, intimate partner violence, coercive control, online abuse, stalking, workplace sexual harassment, street harassment and sexual assault. Our definition includes all these forms of violence against women*.

Capacity for Change defines women*  as all people who identify and live as a woman, including cis gender, trans women and non-binary folk.

Certain people, identities and communities within Australia are at greater risk than others and experience violence that intersects with other forms of discrimination and disadvantage.

In Australia, approximately one woman is killed by her current or former partner every week, often after a history of family and domestic violence.
30% of respondents to a 2011 survey on family and domestic violence and the workplace reported they had experienced violence, and 5% of those respondents had experienced violence in the last 12 months.

Family & domestic violence is a workplace issue

The impact of violence against women is seen in workplaces as it affects staff retention, presenteeism, absenteeism and morale, while undermining productivity.

“Instead of just incurring the costs of this violence, workplaces can make a real difference in addressing violence from the outset, and helping to prevent it” (Kate Fitz-Gibbon, 2024).

Family & domestic violence is not just a private or personal issue. When an employee is living with family & domestic violence, there are often very real costs and negative impacts that flow to the workplace.

Workplace & Economic costs
Within the population of women who have experienced violence, or are currently experiencing violence, the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates around one in six are part of the workforce.
This means that a significant number of Australian workplaces will be impacted by women’s experiences of family & domestic violence.
Specifically;

Decreased staff performance and productivity
Increased staff turnover and absenteeism

Impacts on employees
The 2011 National Domestic Violence and the Workplace Survey found that nearly half (48%) of respondents who reported experiencing family & domestic violence said the violence had affected their ability to get to work.
The main impact of violence was on work performance - 16% of victims and survivors reported being distracted, tired or unwell and 10% needed to take time off work.