Where to go for help or more information:

Women’s Refuge: Free national crisis line operates 24/7 — 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 creating a workplace safety plan, calling on our security team, or looking at a wide range of options to help that person be safe and feel safe.

There are also app-based technologies to help staff members stay in touch.

As well as helping our employees understand how they can help each other, one of the main things is that we want everyone in Westpac to know they will be taken seriously and supported if they are in an abusive relationship and need help.

Other employers — such as the University of Auckland, Countdown and The Warehouse — are also taking excellent steps to protect their people from domestic violence and I’d like to encourage more businesses do the same. To those employers who want to take action, I encourage you to do so. If you don’t think it’s an issue affecting your staff, you might be surprised.

Sadly, since we launched our programme we have seen a marked increase in our staff asking for help.

I believe it’s important that as a business community we engage in these challenges. Imagine if leaders across all companies in New Zealand took steps to create an environment that supported a significant reduction in domestic violence.

As a business community, that is something we could be proud of.

Westpac’s materials for helping businesses make their workplaces DV free can be accessed through the Shine website.

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Picture / 123RF The workplace has an important role to play as a safe environment where those affected by domestic violence can reach out for help.