Hornsby Council call for paid leave for domestic violence victims

It is one of the largest employers in the Upper North Shore, and now a Sydney council is working to implement 10 days of domestic violence leave to support all members of staff.

Hornsby Councils have voted to provide domestic and family violence victims with 10 days of leave each year.

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It is one of the largest employers in the Upper North Shore, and now Hornsby Council is working to implement 10 days of domestic violence leave to support all members of staff.

Greens councillor Joseph Nicita and Labor councillor Janelle McIntosh are the driving force behind the new initiative, which called on council to support a bid to acknowledge the “devastating impact domestic violence has on the Hornsby community”.

“Our Hornsby Shire regrettably marks itself out as a hotspot for domestic and family violence at around 80 reported cases a month,” he said.

“On that figure, that means that despite the incredible work done by the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter, this community and politicians, despite all the fundraising and awareness campaigns, we’re still seeing two or three cases each and every day — and that’s only the ones we see reported.”

Hornsby councillor Joseph Nicita called for 10 days leave for domestic violence victims.

Cr Nicita called for council to support the motion for 10 days paid domestic and family violence leave for all staff during a council meeting on Wednesday night alongside Cr McIntosh, following in the footsteps of the NSW Government — which will implement a similar policy for all government employees on January 1.

“Domestic and family violence leave is there to assist employees in attending legal proceedings, counselling, appointments with legal or medical practitioners and relocation to safer accommodation,” Cr Nicita said.

“It can often be the difference between an individual choosing to leave or stay in an abusive relationship.

“We are at crisis point when it comes to domestic violence, and Christmas sees a dramatic increase in cases as well — that is why it is so important we get this in the spotlight.”

Councillor Janelle McIntosh also worked to implement the paid leave system.(AAP Image/Sue Graham)

Hornsby Council is one of the bighest employers in the shire.

Cr McIntosh said all local government employees should be entitled to the same level of support from their employer.

“At present within local government, employees who experience domestic or family violence issues are required to access leave using either their existing annual leave provisions or by requesting special leave,” she said.

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“Accessing this leave requires discussions and procedures that may add unnecessary stress to any employee experiencing difficulties.

“The formal introduction of paid domestic and family violence leave acknowledges the enormous impact domestic violence has on victims, their families and employers.”

The bid to investigate domestic and family violence leave and support 10 days of paid time off was supported by council on Wednesday night.

Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women's Shelter staff (l-r) Jackie Dowling (case worker) and Sallianne McClelland (chairperson). (AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook)

Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter chairperson Sallianne McClelland said council policies such as this one needed to result in a level of confidentiality.

“If an employee discloses information like this, it needs to stay on a need to know basis,” she said.

“On an overall level we need to consider employees that are in situations where they need help and many organisations already do this without official policies in place.”

For domestic or family violence support or resources contact 1800 737 732 or visit 1800respect.org.au