UCU members pioneer new domestic violence policy at Aston University

A new workplace domestic violence policy will cover both staff and students and commits Aston University to providing information and emergency support for victims of domestic violence. The local UCU branch proposed the policy earlier in the year and has worked closely with the university and the other campus trade unions to implement the policy.
 
At the national UCU congress this year the union committed itself to do more to campaign against, and raise awareness of, domestic violence in the workplace. The work on Aston's policy was already underway when the motion was passed and the implemented policy will act as a useful template for other local UCU branches.
 
Dr Pam Lowe, who led the UCU negotiations on the policy and will be delivering a lecture on domestic violence at Aston University on today, said: 'The workplace can be the safest place for victims of domestic violence. Having an effective policy benefits victims, but can also reduce the costs associated with it for employers. Although it was Aston UCU that called for a workplace policy on domestic violence, the proposal was strongly supported by the university and the other trade unions, which illustrates the positive side of trade union work that rarely gets the credit it deserves.'
 
Notes:

The Home Office defines domestic violence 'as any threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between adults who are or have been in a relationship, or between family members. It can affect anybody, regardless of their gender or sexuality. The violence can be psychological, physical, sexual or emotional. It can include honour based violence, female genital mutilation, and forced marriage'. It accounts for 14% of violent crime. One in four women will be a victim of domestic violence and two women a week are murdered by a partner or ex-partner.