Domestic abuse impacts more than home life. Stress, trauma and physical injuries can make it difficult for a victim-survivor of domestic abuse to do their work as normal or result in unexplained lateness or absence. They may require to take time away from work to access resources or legal support or attend GP appointments. The impact of abuse can also cause some to leave work or work in posts that underutilise their skills.
This can also impact colleagues as they may have to cover for lateness and absence or protect the victim-survivor from unwanted attention, phone calls or visits. Witnessing a colleague dealing with abuse and feeling unable to help can negatively impact on staff mental health and can be (re-)traumatising for other victim-survivors.
Emotional Abuse
Abuse doesn’t have to be physical. Emotional abuse can include threats and intimidation (e.g. shouting, agressive behaviour such as throwing/breaking household goods or punching holes in walls), criticism (e.g. namecalling, making derogatory comments about one’s body, behaviours or personality), undermining and gaslighting (dismissing one’s opinion, making one doubt their thoughts and memories), making one feel guilty (e.g. with threats of hurting themselves or someone else), and controlling and alienation (telling one what to do/wear/say, making one stop seeing other people or convincing them to stop contact with friends and family).
Financial and Economic Abuse
Financial abuse can include withholding money, controlling household income, keeping finances secret, building up debt (either jointly or in their partner’s name), and even keeping their partner from working. Economic abuse is a broader term that encompasses restricting access to essential resources and services (food, transport, clothing). It’s a way of removing a person’s independence and making them feel incapable of caring for themselves.
