Safe Spaces Supporters
Businesses who have committed to using the Safe Spaces training
Domestic and sexual violence impacts people of every gender, culture and background worldwide. Globally, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men experience domestic or sexual violence in their lifetime. For many of those affected the workplace provides a Safe Space. As global companies, we stand together and pledge to provide a safe space and a supportive culture at work for people impacted by domestic and sexual violence. We gather together to increase the number of people who know how to: Recognize the signs of domestic and sexual violence Respond with empathy Refer colleagues to local support and resources worldwide Together, we break the silence and stigma around abuse, ensuring that every workplace is a Safe Space.
Research from various regions highlights the significant impact of domestic violence (DV) on employment and workplace performance. In the United States, 64% of victims/survivors reported that abuse affected their ability to work, while a higher percentage, 83%, of survivors in programs indicated that abusive partners disrupted their employment (Sources 1, 2). In Canada, 82% of workers who experienced DV said it negatively influenced their work performance (Source 3). Across the Asia-Pacific region, including Taiwan, 67% of those experiencing DV reported an impact on their ability to work (Source 4). Additionally, a survey in the Solomon Islands found that 81% of individuals reporting domestic or sexual violence experienced at least one workplace impact, such as difficulty getting to or staying at work or feeling unsafe (Source 5). These figures underscore the pervasive effect of domestic violence on workforce productivity and safety globally. WHO (2021) UN Women for statistics on the incidence of domestic and sexual violence [1] United States (Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence / National Domestic Violence Hotline) – 64% of victims/survivors said abuse impacted their ability to work.https://www.thehotline.org/stakeholders/domestic-violence-statistics/ [2] United States (IWPR, national survey of survivors in programs) – 83% reported abusive partners disrupted their ability to work. https://iwpr.org/dreams-deferred-a-survey-on-the-impact-of-intimate-partner-violence-on-survivors-education-careers-and-economic-security/ [3] Canada (Canadian Labour Congress national survey) - Among workers who experienced DV, 82% said it negatively affected work performance. https://canadianlabour.ca/domestic-violence-work/ [4] Taiwan / Asia-Pacific (ITUC-AP DV@WorkNet) - Of those who experienced DV, 67% said it affected their ability to work. https://www.ituc-csi.org/IMG/pdf/dvatwork-taiwanese-surveyresults.pdf [5] Solomon Islands (IFC survey across major employers) - Among those reporting domestic or sexual violence, 81% reported at least one workplace impact (e.g., difficulty getting to/staying at work, feeling unsafe).