Medibank Private to give workers unlimited leave to deal with family violence issues

ONE of the nation’s biggest health funds will offer its workers unlimited personal leave to deal with issues relating to family violence.

ONE of Australia’s biggest health funds will today announce it is offering all its employees — regardless of employment status — unlimited personal leave to deal with issues relating to domestic and family violence.

This could be leave to look at a new apartment, or a new school or to escape a toxic situation.

Medibank will also take the bold step of acknowledging it may have DV within its ranks and will offer confidential counselling and rehabilitation to help stamp out the abuse.

The change comes on White Ribbon Day today, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Unlimited leave for employees who had been victims of domestic violence would cover different kinds of situations.

It also follows the Federal Government announcing the commencement of a national domestic violence order scheme.

Up until today, when an individual impacted by domestic or family violence has moved interstate they have had to go through a legal process to ensure they are safe in their new home.

However, from today all domestic violence orders issued will automatically be nationally recognised and enforceable.

CEO of Australia’s National Research Centre for Women’s Safety Heather Nancarrow said while currently every state and territory recognises DVOs from other states and territories, the process was not automatic.

Domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty. Picture: Anna Rogers

Victims with a DVO need to manually register their DVO in another state and often there is a period where the victim isn’t protected because of administrative burdens.

Furthermore many DV victims don’t actually know that they have to manually register their DVO in another state so therefore they are not covered when they might think they are.

This also causes problems when people live close to the border in somewhere like Coolangatta where the victim might work across the border in NSW but have a QLD DVO.

From today, all domestic violence orders issued will automatically be nationally recognised and enforceable.

Up to 33 per cent of Australians report they have been exposed to domestic violence.

According to domestic violence awareness group Destroy The Joint, 73 women were killed by their ex-partners in 2016 and so far this year 43 have lost their lives to family violence.

Medibank CEO Craig Drummond, a Male Champion of Change, said the time for talking on domestic violence was over and more Australian companies needed to support their employees through periods of domestic and family violence.

Mr Drummond said Medibank was taking the “bold” step of acknowledging they had both victims and perpetrators within its ranks and offering both support.

Perpetrators would be offered confidential counselling and support services.

Unlimited leave for employees who had been victims of domestic violence would cover anything relating to the situation including time off to look at a new apartment or a new school to escape a toxic situation.

Medibank CEO Craig Drummond says more companies need to support their employees through periods of domestic violence. Picture Andrew Tauber

“This is an urgent issue that hasn’t had the prominence it needs to have,” Mr Drummond told News Corp.

“We want to help those that are victims of this but also I think people that use violence it is really important to help them to try and stop this from happening.”

Former chair of the National Council to Reduce Violence against Women Libby Lloyd said the move by Medibank was a welcome one.

“This is a great initiative and we have to look at every single aspect of society we can motivate to reduce this abhorrent act,” she said.

If you are unsure whether you need to take action on a DVO, or if you have further questions about the new national scheme, visit www.ag.gov.au/ndvos or contact your local court.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000. For sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling services call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au.