Green MP Jan Logie outlines domestic violence bill to Whanganui Chamber of Commerce

ADDRESSING VIOLENCE: Green MP Jan Logie talks to Whanganui Chamber of Commerce members about the impact of domestic violence on workplaces.

No one should have to choose between being safe and poverty, says Green MP Jan Logie.

Ms Logie told the Whanganui Chamber of Commerce yesterday that the benefits of supporting victims of domestic violence to remain in their jobs far outweigh the financial cost to employers. This is reflected in her Domestic Violence - Victims' Protection Bill which has the support of all political parties.

New Zealand has the worst rate of family and intimate-partner violence in the world. One in three New Zealand women will experience domestic violence and New Zealand has one of the highest rates of death from domestic violence.

"They are the result of our history and values and poor institutional response to violence," Ms Logie said.

"Domestic violence sounds like something that happens in the home but actually it happens everywhere."

The bill aims to support victims of domestic violence to remain in paid employment by providing up to 10 days' paid leave a year. This allows people time to go to court, go to a support group or be with their children who may have attachment, stress or illness issues because of the impact of domestic violence.

It also provides for flexible working arrangements, including alternative duties, work sites and hours.

Guidelines for employers would outline how they can support victims of domestic violence as well as addressing their obligations to provide a safe workplace.

"Employers need to create an enabling environment for someone to disclose domestic violence. Often work colleagues are the only people who know outside immediate family and we also need to acknowledge the impact on colleagues of domestic violence. Most people don't have a clue what to do.

"I believe most employers, if somebody came to them, would want to do the right thing. But we shouldn't expect employers to be social workers, we need to enable employers to respond well and support the person."

Ms Logie said that over time the initiatives in the bill would save money for New Zealand businesses and improve productivity of the victim and colleagues around them.

"The concerns about the costs to employers aren't backed up by overseas research or the modelling we have done here. I think this is relieving one of the costs of being in business."

The Justice and Electoral Select Committee has heard submissions on the bill. When Parliament resumes after the election politicians will choose whether to continue with the bill.