New ODVSS brochure offers guidelines to local employers
Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service's new brochure targeted at businesses is being launched by advocate Jessica Bowes this morning, Friday October 4, in Tullamore Library.
Dublin native Jessica was left with long term physical and psychological damage after a vicious assault by the father of her children in December 2015 left every bone in her face broken. He attacked her after she arrived in a taxi to her Clondalkin home.
She decided to waive her anonymity in order to raise awareness of the leniency of sentencing and the complexities of the issues surrounding domestic violence.
Despite suffering horrific injuries, Jessica refuses to be a victim, and insists that her life has changed for the better because of what she's been through. Now a staunch advocate Jessica says that she is delighted to be working with ODVSS to launch their latest brochure Domestic Violence and the Workplace.
Development Manager with ODVSS Anne Clarke states that the effects of living with abuse permeate every facet of a person’s life, including work.
“Domestic violence can prevent a person’s ability to work well, their can be high absenteeism, missed work due to illness or injury, they may have to appear in court or have had to be relocated to a refuge in an emergency.
“Perpetrators may also try to sabotage their partner’s work by limiting access to transport, destroying clothes, breaking computers and laptops, refusing to pay for childcare.”
Ms Clarke also described how some clients have disclosed being stalked at work, excessive emails and phone calls causing the person to feel stressed and anxious.
“The brochure aims to provide employers with guidelines on how to support employees and also help them to recognise red flags that may indicate their employee may be a victim of abuse.
“Many times women will say when they have reached a crisis, 'No one ever asked me was I ok'. We are just developing new ways for victims of domestic abuse to disclose In a safe environment, and then sign posting into support services,” Ms Clarke said.
The launch takes place in Tullamore Library on Friday October 4 at 11am. All are welcome to attend. For information on the launch or brochure please email manager@odvss.e or call 0579351796. If you are experiencing domestic violence and abuse call the ODVSS Support Line on 0579351886.