Actress urges workplaces to support abuse victims

Actress Sam Beckinsale spoke at a conference to raise awareness of domestic abuse

An actress and domestic abuse campaigner has said all employers should put measures in place to support victims while they are at work.

Sam Beckinsale, who is based in Somerset, said she would like to see domestic abuse policies introduced in workplaces.

The actress, along with Avon and Somerset Police, spoke to employers during a conference at Strode Theatre in Street, where she discussed her own experiences and a film she has made called Love? which depicts behaviours associated with domestic abuse.

"Once the penny dropped the person who did it to me would do it again I couldn't not do everything in my power to transfer that knowledge to as many people as possible," said Ms Beckinsale.

Det Supt Kristina Windsor said workplaces could offer safe spaces for staff

Ms Beckinsale said more practical help and advice should be given to staff so they could help colleagues.

"The amount of builders I know where they're going into people's homes and they recognise what is going on but they don't know what to do next," she added.

She is working with charity Employers' Initiative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA) to highlight the support employers can offer.

Det Supt Kristina Windsor, domestic abuse lead at Avon and Somerset Police, worked with staff at Strode College to host the conference.

"I only see 20% of domestic abuse victims that ever come across my desk. That's 80% that are suffering I never get to see," she said.

"Think about the behaviour of your staff member. If they're coming in late or are disengaged, that could be signs of abuse.

"You can create a safe space where they can speak to you. You can even create somewhere where they can keep things safe."

Business owner, Jill Barker, said the conference had been "beneficial"

A number of businesses attended the conference.

Jill Barker, who owns Middlewick Holiday Cottages in Glastonbury, said: "It's really good for me, I have 32 staff working for me, so just to be able to pick up bits of information that would support them is beneficial."

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