Union raises the roof over domestic violence

Public services union UNISON is adding its weight to a campaign against domestic violence. The Women's Aid millennium campaign to end domestic violence has provided shocking figures which show that every week in Britain at least one woman is killed by her partner or ex-partner. The campaign includes a poster series and a leaflet which aim to get the public involved in ending violence against women, as well as offering help to the victims of abuse. Women's Aid supports a network of over 250 local refuges in England and runs a national helpline for women facing violence.

UNISON believes that as a trade union with a majority of female members it has a responsibility to get the issue out into the open. Dave Prentis, UNISON deputy general secretary said: "As a trade union we can raise the issue with employers and negotiate workplace policies to support women with problems arising from domestic violence". UNISON has produced a guide to campaigning against domestic violence, Raise the roof on domestic violence. This provides details on negotiating a policy with employers, with examples of where UNISON branches have already done so.