We Won’t Wait

Family and domestic violence is a national crisis.

We know the tragic numbers: on average a woman is killed each week by a partner, ex-partner or family member in Australia.

Hundreds of thousands report facing violence at home – figures that have surged during the pandemic, as many women were trapped further into abusive relationships. The true picture is likely to be even worse.

It’s an unacceptable situation that requires urgent action.

Australian Unions is following through with its call for a minimum of ten days of paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave to be implemented in all workplaces to help women escape violent situations.

The Federal Government must act to give every worker access to paid family and domestic violence leave.

Why do we need family and domestic violence leave?

Escaping a violent relationship takes time and money.

It is estimated that moving to find a new, safe place for yourself and your family costs can cost up to $20,000 and take more than 140 hours – but until recently, Federal laws only provided for five days of unpaid leave.

Paid family and domestic violence leave can give a woman – and it nearly always is a woman – the time, support and job security she needs to escape and recover from an abusive relationship.

A woman’s safety shouldn’t depend on her employer. The Federal Government must act now to give all workers access to paid family and domestic violence leave as a workplace entitlement.

It takes paid leave to leave. And we won’t wait, because women can’t wait.

Want to support the campaign for paid family and domestic violence leave?

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