Not good enough: Paid DV leave falls short

“While 10 days (of paid domestic violence leave) is a step forward, women need more time to seek justice.”

“While 10 days (of paid domestic violence leave) is a step forward, women need more time to seek justice.”

Ten days of paid domestic violence leave “does not go far enough” for victims, experts say, urging the government to do more.

Our new government under Anthony Albanese intends to introduce 10 days of paid domestic violence leave into the National Employment standards (which apply to all permanent employees) as early as next month.

But experts have told The Oz 10 days is not enough for victims to get back on their feet.

“Women will use this time to seek assistance from the police, or to go and make statements at a police station, or try to have medical appointments or maybe try to obtain some kind of medical evidence to support a court case,” Associate Professor Susan Heward-Belle said.

“While 10 days is a step forward, women need more time to seek justice.”

ANU family violence expert Gwen Gray called the leave a “drop in the ocean”.

“Domestic violence is a very traumatic situation,” she said. “People need support and counselling... for years and years and years.”

The pay will be paid at the employee’s base rate, and would accrue in a similar way to annual leave maxing out at 10 days.

Previously, all employees were allowed to take five days of unpaid leave. Now, the leave has been doubled and is paid, but will only be available to permanent employees, which covers about 62% of the population.

While Dr Gray agreed the new plan was “better than nothing” she said by leaving out part-time and casual staff the government is abandoning a large group of women.

“I would like to see it extended to all workers,” she said.

“It will not apply to all working women, which is a great pity.”

Fullstop CEO and domestic violence advocate Hayley Foster said there needs to be a “culture change” to encourage people to take up the leave, as the uptake of existing provisions "is light".

“Employees may not feel safe in disclosing their experience to their employer because a) they feel it could get out and b) they’re scared of judgement," Foster said.

“Employers themselves need to be clear about the entitlement for privacy and confidentiality and managers need to have the skills to respond in a compassionate and appropriate way.”

The Oz was recently invited to a secret women's shelter for women and children who have experienced domestic violence. Read that story, and watch our interview inside the shelter here.