- Conference
- 2009 National Delegate Conference
- Date
- 23 February 2009
- Decision
- Carried
Conference is appalled to note that, according to Home Office statistics, domestic violence accounts for one in six violent incidents as measured by the British Crime Survey, with 85% of those victims being women, and one in four victims having been assaulted three or more times.
The government’s national domestic violence delivery plan highlighted action being taken across the spectrum to tackle domestic violence, but also accepted that more needed to be done.
The action plan included proposals:
1)To increase early identification of, and intervention with, victims of
domestic violence;
2)To provide effective support and advice to victims;
3)To improve the criminal justice response to domestic violence, support
victims through the system and manage perpetrators to reduce risk.
Conference notes that many UNISON members, working in the health, police and local government sectors, are in the front line when dealing with the victims of domestic abuse, and congratulates those members who have played their part in delivering the action plan, which has seen significant reductions in the number of reported incidents of domestic violence.
However, Conference also notes that UNISON members will inevitably also be the victims of domestic violence, and that those members needs support in their workplace – to feel safe, not further victimised by harsh sickness absence penalties, and supported through court or other legal processes.
Conference therefore calls upon the National Executive Council to lobby the government:
a)To enact the UN statutory definition of violence against women or a
statutory definition of domestic violence, to ensure consistency in the
manner in which the court system interprets domestic violence;
b)To urge the judiciary to work towards a consistent and effective
sentencing policy which places crimes of violence higher than crimes
against property;
c)To ensure that the public sector and voluntary organisations providing
support for the victims of abuse are adequately funded and supported to
deliver these essential services.
Conference further calls on the National Executive Council to work with the women’s self organised group and service groups to:
i)Encourage branches to negotiate workplace policies on domestic abuse,
using the UNISON guidance and model policy;
ii)Publicise the support available from UNISON Welfare to members who
are victims of domestic abuse.