Cheshire businesses encouraged to help tackle domestic abuse

A pioneering new project created for Cheshire businesses to support their staff, customers and clients in recognising domestic abuse has launched today.

Thanks to a new partnership between police and crime commissioner David Keane, charity Chester Women’s Aid (CWA) and Community Interest Company UP, the Domestic Abuse Awareness Training Scheme invites local businesses and workplaces to sign up to receive training to enable them to recognise domestic abuse and direct employees who may be experiencing it to appropriate sources of help.

Participating employers will be invited to review their policies and working practices better to support their employees in seeking help, and will be recognised for signing up to the scheme.

It comes after recent figures from the Cheshire-wide domestic abuse campaign Open the Door and support services revealed that the number of victims they’re supporting has increased by 200 per cent since the start of the pandemic. CWA itself has seen a 20% increase in applications to its crisis grant programme during the last 12 months of the pandemic.

David said: "Domestic abuse is a devastating reality for many people in our communities - and one that has escalated since the pandemic began last year.

“The Domestic Abuse Awareness Training Scheme will help businesses to reach people experiencing domestic abuse, directing them to local agencies who can support them. It will encourage employers to be more aware of domestic abuse and the wellbeing of their employees".

Chair of CWA’s Board of Trustees, Angela Benson, said: “The PCC’s connections and financial input mean that our aspiration to make Chester a Domestic Abuse Free City is closer to being realised than ever before. It marks an exciting new chapter for the charity.”

Ruth Tunnicliffe, business development manager at UP CIC, said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for local people living and working throughout Cheshire to help drive down this awful crime, because that’s what it is. The training will support people to recognise and deal with the cycle of abuse and UP CIC are delighted to be involved in this enterprise.”

A range of partners will come on board to support CWA’s vision for this valuable scheme, including Cheshire Police, public sector bodies and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). 

The trade union will use their previous experience in this area to maximise the benefit of the scheme across a range of businesses for Cheshire residents.

Lynn Collins, North West secretary for the TUC, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity to be involved with an innovative scheme to protect vulnerable employees across Cheshire.

“The TUC has worked with partners on a range of initiatives that provide support to employers to deal with this issue and we look forward to providing the Cheshire scheme with the benefits of our experience.”

By signing up to the Domestic Abuse Awareness Training Scheme businesses will ultimately benefit from increased productivity, increased safety and support for those who may need it and will publicly be able to show they care about employee wellbeing.

Employees will gain increased awareness of the complex issues around domestic abuse, and will be shown how to signpost employees, customers, and clients to support services like Open the Door. The scheme is aimed at all adults affected by domestic abuse.

Training with businesses is expected to start in the summer and the innovative venture has the potential to be rolled out nationally.

CWA has commissioned UP CIC to design materials for the training scheme, with funding by the Cheshire West and Chester Community Response Fund supported by The Westminster Foundation. CWA and the OPCC has also further commissioned UP CIC to deliver the training program.

Since its creation in 1976, Chester Women’s Aid (CWA) has helped thousands of local people in Cheshire and surrounding areas fleeing domestic abuse to find their feet and start to rebuild their lives free from fear. The pandemic has meant an increase in domestic abuse cases at the same time as a decrease in fundraising opportunities.

The commissioner has made tackling domestic abuse one of his main priorities. Since April last year, David has launched a campaign with Cheshire Police to encourage those facing domestic abuse to seek support during the pandemic, secured Home Office funding for a scheme which works to try and change the behaviour of perpetrators to reduce further incidents of abuse, and continues to work with support services to apply for further government funding to meet the increased demand.

Depending on where they live, anyone who needs help or advice can also contact their local domestic abuse support service on the relevant details below:

Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Hub – 0300 123 5101

Cheshire West and Chester: 0300 123 7047, option 2

Halton Domestic Abuse Forum: 0300 111 1247

Warrington Refuge - 01925 243359

They can also call Cheshire Police on 101 or the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. In an emergency, where there is a threat to life or a crime is taking place, call 999. Additionally, you can learn more about the IOPC’s ‘Silent Solution’ here.

There’s also advice and support available on https://www.openthedoorcheshire.org.uk/