Harrowing statistics on domestic violence against our teachers
Abuse victims urged to take new paid leave if needed
TEACHERS have been urged to take paid domestic violence leave if they need it – and to support colleagues who may be victims.
They were also warned about the importance of protecting confidentiality of records of such leave held in schools.
Teacher and assistant principal Marina Carlin, from Buncrana, Co. Donegal, addressed delegates on Thursday, on the last day of the annual convention of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) in Co. Wexford. She said ‘harrowing’ statistics illustrating the widespread nature of domestic violence in Ireland meant that teachers were not exempt from being victims.
Since the end of last year, employers are required to offer paid leave to workers who are subjected to domestic violence.
The Work-Life Balance Act provides for up to five days’ paid domestic-violence leave over a period of 12 months and came into force in the form of Circular 59/2023, ‘Domestic Violence Leave for Registered Teachers’.
Ireland has become one of the first countries in the EU to introduce this leave, and the issue of
‘A crucial development’
the time off was consistently raised by the teacher unions, including the ASTI, at the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC).
Speaking to the Irish Daily Mail Ms Carlin, a member of the ASTI’s Equality Committee, said: ‘According to national statistics… 25% of women and 6% of men have experienced domestic abuse, and the men’s statistics are said to be underreported, because men find it more difficult to report.
‘Those statistics are harrowing, and given the number of teachers at the convention, I said it was conceivable that people had experienced it themselves or knew victims in their own schools.’
She continued: ‘The statutory leave is a crucial development and a very welcome step. It means it has been officially recognised by the Department of Education that domestic violence is happening to teachers.
She said the circular set out the importance of retaining all documentation relating to the leave in a safe and secure manner. ‘We have to be very cognisant that this is a matter for absolute confidentiality when it comes to processing that leave,’ she said. ‘Research has shown that when violence is disclosed, that is when an abuser is at their most dangerous, and it is the most dangerous time for victims of domestic violence.’
Ms Carlin said work was often the safest place for victims, as their abuser had no power there.
‘It is essential our school communities remain safe spaces in processing that leave,’ she said.
She said it is important to note that domestic violence was very complex, and many victims return to their abuser up to seven times before breaking free.
This could be due to fear, shame, lack of resources, low self-esteem and other reasons, she said.
However, the domestic violence leave could also be used by someone supporting a victim, who needed time to help them find alternative accommodation, or to accompany their colleague to court, for example.
‘It allows a teacher to support someone else when they need it, and to help people feel empowered to leave,’ Ms Carlin said.
She added that ‘this is all about empowerment’.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has also developed policy guidance for employees around issues such as eligibility and supports for those affected by domestic violence.
The ASTI said that any members who experience domestic abuse can contact its Employee Assistance Service for free counselling at 1800 411 057.
Women’s Aid is the leading voluntary organisation responding to domestic abuse and can be contacted at 1800 341 900.
Men’s Aid Ireland is a national service supporting men and their families experiencing domestic abuse, and can be contacted at (01) 554 3811.