Stronger Workplaces. Safer People. Smarter Business
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Domestic abuse is a workplace issue.
Without the right support for employees, wellbeing, safety, productivity and profit are impacted. With the right framework, employers can protect staff, meet responsibilities, strengthen performance and save lives.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will be impacted by domestic abuse in their lifetime
40% of victims were prevented from getting to work by their abuser
Research suggests 75% of women experiencing domestic abuse are targeted by the perpetrator at work
£17 billion is lost in businesses each year due to decreased productivity, time off work and sick pay
£7,245 is the esimated average cost to a business for each invidiual affected by domestic abuse
For those impacted by domestic abuse, work is one of the few spaces where they're physically distanced from abuse and can gain access to lifeline support
Staff turnover leads to time off work, sick pay, recruitment, retraining, and knowledge loss, at an estimated £7,245 per employee.
Productivity falls when survivors come to work struggling with mental and physical health, feeling distracted, fearful, or unable to fully participate.
Workplace safety is compromised when abuse spills into the workplace.
Organisations face reputational and legal risk if they fail in their duty of care.
Domestic abuse is estimated to cost UK employers £17 billion each year in absenteeism, reduced productivity, and staff turnover.
For many survivors, domestic abuse continues at work, through persistent calls, emails, unannounced visits, or even the perpetrator working in the same place.
75% of survivors report being targeted at work
40% are prevented from getting to work
1 in 5 stop going to work, arrive late, or leave early
This isn’t just a personal crisis. It’s a workplace safety issue that affects survivors, colleagues, and the organisation as a whole.
The impact on people
The impact on business
Why employers must act
Survivors often struggle with anxiety, depression, PTSD and diminished confidence during domestic abuse and after the relationship has ended. Concentration suffers. Deadlines are missed. Attendance falters. Many remain silent, held back by fear, shame, or worry they won’t be believed.
No one should lose their livelihood because of abuse. Yet some are forced out of work, or leave roles they value, at a time when financial stability matters most. Others are dismissed for attendance or performance issues when abuse is hidden.
Colleagues are impacted too: morale drops, safety concerns rise, and teams absorb the stress and disruption.
Employers have a statutory duty of care under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. The guidance makes clear: you must consider the impact of domestic abuse on your employees.
But this isn’t just about compliance. It’s about people. Your employees are your greatest asset, and their wellbeing is the foundation of a motivated, high-performing workforce. With 1 in 5 employees likely to experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, this is not a marginal issue, it’s a business-critical one.
Creating a framework of policy, training and support protects your staff and your business, and builds a culture of safety, trust and care
Domestic abuse does not stop at the front door of your organisation.
Survivors recover more quickly, rebuild confidence and re-engage fully in work
Reduced absence, improved loyalty, culture of care and confidence
Workplace becomes safer, more productive and compliant
Business saves money, protects talent, and boosts reputation
Culture shifts from reactive to resilient
Survivors may struggle in silence with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and physical injuries
Risk to safety in, or while travelling to and from workplace
Stress, distraction and reduced morale, amongst colleagues
Fear and distraction at work erode confidence, performance and safety
Costs rise through absence, presenteeism, turnover
Risk and liability increase
With Your Support
Without Support
Hi, I'm Kat Heeley.
I partner with organisations to create a robust, practical and compassionate response to domestic abuse:
Clear, actionable policies and initiatives that protect staff and give managers the tools they need.
Training and awareness sessions rooted in real-life examples, dismantling negative stigma and helping staff understand how to recognise, respond and safeguard.
Equipping leaders and teams to respond safely, confidently and compassionately.
Equipping you with the tools to review policy, review ongoing impact and continue to empower employees, maintaining a culture of care.
I am passionate about coaching individuals rebuilding their lives. I am also conscious of financial constraints for those experiecing domestic abuse. To keep my services affordable, I subsidise my coaching fees from profit I make working with employers. If you choose to work with me, your support will help an individual transform their life.
high performance Coach & BUSINESS Consultant.
If you’re an employer committed to creating a safe and supportive workplace for staff, I can help. I provide training and education on domestic abuse.
Together we will develop tools, policy and a framework to protect and support employees at a time when their workplace feels like their only safe space.
Drawing on professional expertise from leadership, coaching and police roles, along with lived experience, I show why your role as an employer is crucial, and how the right support can be life changing.
Policy Review & Frameworks
Domestic Abuse Education
Manager & Staff Training
Ongoing Review & Evaluation
Paying it forward
How I Help
Get in touch
kathryn@riseempowered.com
07817 289187
UK based. I work with you online and in your workplace.
Free Support and Resources for Employers
The Employers Initiative on Domestic Abuse
EIDA works with employers helping them to demonstrate their awareness of domestic abuse via toolkits, offering direct help and signposting. EIDA is dedicated to supporting employers who are taking action and making their staff aware of the services available to them. These things combined will help to reduce the wall of silence around domestic abuse that prevents many from seeking help. Your business can become an EIDA member today, free of charge!
To sign up, please click here.
"Sharon's Policy"
‘Sharon’s Policy’ is a domestic abuse policy template, to help you implement your own domestic abuse policy, quickly and at no cost. ‘Sharon’s Policy’ was created by website founder & domestic abuse campaigner: Sharon Livermore. Download for free here
Bright Sky
Bright Sky is a safe, easy to use app and website that provides practical support and information on how to respond to domestic abuse. It is for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or who is worried about someone else. Bright Sky is useful for employees as it helps you to spot the signs of abuse, know how to respond, and help signpost people to relevant support.
More information here
Connect to free online domestic abuse services for your business and employees, here.
If you or anyone you know is in immediate danger, please contact 999.
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline, is a freephone number, open 24 hours a day, run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge. Call: 0808 200 0247
Welsh Women’s Aid run a confidential 24 Hour ‘Live Fear Free’ Helpline. Call: 0808 801 0800
Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline is open 24 hours a day. Call: 0800 027 1234
Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland offer a Freephone 24-hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Helpline Call: 0808 802 1414.
For Men: The Mankind Initiative run a confidential helpline available Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm. Call: 0182 333 4244 Freephone: 0808 800 1170
Galop run a free national helpline for LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse and violence available Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm and until 8pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Call: 0800 999 5428
The Domestic Abuse Alliance run an advice line with legal assistance for domestic abuse victims, available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Call: 0800 101 7110
Further support and advice lines listed here
Advice Lines
For Employers
Apps
WEPROTECT is an instant victim referral app, developed by the Domestic Abuse Alliance. It allows anyone to refer a domestic abuse survivor to a team of trained legal advisors.
For more information
Hollie Guard is the next-generation smart phone app that provides enhanced levels of protection.
For more information.
My mission is to help people reclaim their freedom and rebuild fulfilling lives after domestic abuse, and to empower the workplaces that support them.
As a transformation coach, I walk alongside survivors as they create new lives rooted in self-love, trust, connection, and relationships that truly nourish. Together, we design lifestyles aligned with each person’s deepest values, needs, and desires. To make this support accessible, I subsidise the cost of individual coaching through my business consultancy services.
As a Domestic Abuse Business Consultant, I partner with organisations to build safer, more supportive workplaces. With both professional expertise and lived experience, I know that when employers step up, the impact can be life changing. Work can become a place of safety, dignity and healing, and a culture of care that benefits every employee.
About Kat
