Why the UK needs paid leave for domestic violence victims like New Zealand

The UK has a chance to follow New Zealand's paid domestic abuse leave in its upcoming law  - PA
The UK has a chance to follow New Zealand's paid domestic abuse leave in its upcoming law - PA

New Zealand has introduced a radical new policy to help victims of domestic violence, offering them 10 days of paid leave in order to free themselves of abusive partners and set themselves up elsewhere. The law acknowledges that leaving can be one of the most difficult and dangerous times for victims of abuse in the home and marks a change in attitude.

Jan Logie, the New Zealander MP who introduced the bill and had previously worked at a domestic violence charity called Women's Refuge, hailed it as a necessary step towards ending abuse in the home and protecting abuse victims and their children. 

"We wait until things get really bad or someone gets killed and then we wring our hands," she said. "We will not solve this problem by continuing to focus on what happens after police have been called." 

In New Zealand, which has one of the highest rates of domestic violence in the world, an average of 23 adults and nine children die in domestic incidents per year. With a population of 4.7 million, it has a family homicide rate of double that in the UK. 

But here, the problem is still significant: an average of two women a week are killed in the UK. The majority of these are killed in their homes, often at the hands of a current or former partner.

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One of the most dangerous times for a victim, when they are at-risk of being severely injured or killed, is when they try to leave. Some statistics put the figure as high as 75 per cent of domestic homicides occur are at the hands of a former partner. 

Charities and advocates have long highlighted the difficulties abused partners face when they decide to leave. As well as the threat of violence, there are emotional and financial barriers that make it difficult to leave. Escaping an abusive or violent household therefore requires meticulous planning and preparation.

One way to avoid being stopped through violent or coercive means is by moving  out stealthily and without telling the abuser. Having time off work to be able to do this while the partner is likely to be out of the house is invaluable. This will not only help ensure the safety of a victim, but also any children they may have. 

Another significant barrier to moving out is financial dependence. The additional money from 10 days paid leave could help ease the burden as a victim establishes themselves in a new home. For these reasons, domestic violence charities have welcomed the New Zealander law and called for it to be introduced more widely.

How to spot signs of domestic abuse

Katie Ghose, chief executive of Women's Aid, said: "By making it a legal requirement for employees to provide paid leave for domestic abuse survivors, this would send out the powerful message to survivors that their employment will be secure and they will be financially supported if they flee the abuse. 

"This will help give more women the confidence to speak out about abuse and seek support when taking the brave step to leave an abusive partner and rebuild their life free from abuse." 

The UK is consulting on a new Domestic Abuse Bill, which it hopes will contain stronger powers to protect and support survivors through additions to the law. Advocates have called on Theresa May to consider adding paid leave to the bill. 

Sandra Horley, chief executive of Refuge, said: "Refuge urges the UK Government to follow suit and take the opportunity represented by the forthcoming Domestic Abuse Bill to introduce paid leave for those experiencing domestic abuse and to mandate all UK employers to develop domestic abuse policies."

The consultation has the benefit now of being able to analyse the New Zealand bill and monitor the effects it has, with a view to adopting something similar in the UK.