Paid leave bill for domestic abuse victims 'huge'

A proposed law that would entitle domestic abuse victims to paid time off work would be "huge", a charity has said.

Nick Gazzard, founder of the Hollie Gazzard Trust, said victims of domestic violence need to "feel that they have the backing of their employer".

Gloucester MP Alex McIntyre introduced the Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Bill in the House of Commons on Tuesday, calling for the right to 10 days paid leave for victims to help them find a place of safety, deal with health issues, and attend police interviews.

Mr Gazzard says workplace environments should be created to allow victims to feel comfortable coming forward.

McIntyre's proposed bill is subject to consultation and no final decision has been made.

It comes as new Gloucestershire Constabulary figures show nearly 250 people were arrested in the county during December on suspicion of committing domestic abuse-related offences.

In total, six of those detained were arrested on Christmas Day – five on suspicion of physically assaulting a partner, former partner or family member, and one on suspicion of harassment with violence.

Mr Gazzard said the figures were the "tip of the iceberg" as many cases went unreported.

He set up a trust in his daughter Hollie's memory after she was fatally stabbed by her ex-boyfriend Asher Maslin while working at a Gloucester hairdressing salon in 2014.

The trust is among several local domestic violence charities that have supported the proposal.

"By an employer providing 10 days paid leave and creating that environment for them to come forward, I think it's going to be huge for victims of domestic abuse," Mr Gazzard said.

"It's the start. There are many other things we can do to help those victims."

McIntyre said on BBC Points West: "[It's] two weeks to access support related to the leave.

"Whether that's attending medical appointments, taking legal advice, fleeing to safety, getting their children to safety, attending court to give evidence.

"This is the kind of support victims and survivors need to be able to access some of the support they need to get back on their feet, and deal with the horrific experience that is domestic abuse."

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