CBA and Our Watch provide free domestic and family violence workplace resources

Commonwealth Bank has partnered with Our Watch, a national leader in the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia, to provide employers across the country with access to free online resources to help support employees experiencing domestic and family violence.

The ‘workplace support site’ includes an informative series of videos and links to additional resources to help organisations better understand the issue of domestic and family violence, the devastating impact it can have on the community and how to address it in the workplace.

Employers will have access to a suite of video resources designed to inform and educate employers, employees and people managers on the broader issue of domestic and family violence. This includes highlighting why domestic and family violence is a workplace issue, the role of the workplace in supporting employees, what people managers can do and workplace strategies to address this important issue, to name a few.

Commonwealth Bank worked with a number of organisations in the domestic and family violence sector including Domestic Violence NSW, No to Violence, UNSW Gendered Violence Network, WIRE and Australia’s CEO Challenge to inform and produce this content.

Sian Lewis, CBA’s Group Executive of Human Resources, said: “It’s an unfortunate reality that domestic and family violence is a prevalent community issue in Australia, which is particularly troubling in times of crisis like the current coronavirus situation. As one of Australia’s largest employers, we know how important it is to provide the right support for employees who are experiencing a domestic and family violence situation.

“That’s why we have worked with Our Watch, and other key domestic and family violence sector partners, to produce an online resource hub where any organisation can access free tools and resources to help them navigate this difficult issue in the workplace. We hope this online hub will help other organisations develop and improve their understanding of the issue, and how they might address it in the workplace,” said Ms Lewis.

Patty Kinnersly, Our Watch CEO, said: “Workplaces have a significant influence over people’s professional and personal lives, and within society more broadly. Research tells us that by increasing gender equality in public and private life – including workplaces, we can reduce violence against women.

“This new website is an important contribution to support organisations to take an active role in addressing violence against women. These videos can help workplaces and their staff understand how to respond to and prevent family and intimate partner violence and ultimately, contribute to creating a more respectful and equal workplace.”

Since 2015, CBA has been working with community organisations and experts to address this issue and better understand what more we can do to help, and where we can have the greatest impact. Over this time, we’ve committed $30 million to this issue, and our experience has given us a first-hand look at how big the need is.

To visit the workplace support site, please click here: workplacesupport.org.au

More information on the action CBA is taking to address domestic and financial abuse is available at: www.commbank.com.au/financialabuse.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au.

For counselling, advice and support call MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978 or www.mensline.org.au.

In an emergency or if you’re not feeling safe, always call 000.