How paid leave from employers could overhaul domestic abuse victims’ lives

Employers in Britain are following the lead of other nations, writes Maya Oppenheim

Campaigners and MPs have urged the UK to introduce paid leave for victims of domestic violence (iStock)

Domestic abuse does not only have a harrowing impact on the victim’s physical and psychological wellbeing but also has a damaging effect on their career – with research showing 122,000 women are estimated to have missed work due to domestic abuse last year.

Peabody, which is one of the largest housing associations in London, has just announced it will offer up to 70 hours paid leave to those suffering domestic abuse in a bid to tackle such issues.

Frontline service providers are hopeful the new scheme offered by the social housing provider – which includes a plethora of measures to keep domestic abuse victims safe – could soon be rolled out more widely.