With 62 per cent of women in Australia who experience domestic and family violence in the paid workforce, Mounties Group has identified the responsibility and role of workplaces to identify and respond such instance. The NSW club group has launched a range of new initiatives for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month to make a meaningful difference to its staff, its members and the local community.
Mounties Group is releasing its own Action Plan to demonstrate how workplaces can play a role in identifying and responding to domestic and family violence.
“Having personally experienced domestic and family violence during my time working in the club industry, I recognise the need for improved workplace responses. We all have a role to play in supporting those affected, whether as an employer, coworker, family member or friend,” explained Arely Carrion, executive manager – community at Mounties Group, who leads the initiative.
“The key to achieving this is through education and raising awareness so that we can better prepare ourselves to provide support to those who need it. Additionally, it’s important to establish a safe and supportive culture that is non-judgmental, along with effective policies and processes to ensure that those seeking help, receive the assistance they require,” she continued.
As part of Mounties Group’s Action Plan the organisation has created a working group of lived experience employees who are leading the new policies, training and awareness campaign. The group, which employs more than 1000 staff, has also pledged 10 days of paid leave as part of its new domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) policy.
“If we want to end violence, we need to invest in preventing violence before it begins, intervening early and supporting delivery of frontline services, with a focus on supporting those who have or are experiencing violence,” stated Carrion.
“There have been some daunting stories shared from those within our team who have commenced our DFSV training program. One staff member has family impacted by an intimate partner homicide and she has been able to work through some of this trauma and is now a Domestic Violence Champion helping others on their journey. We have also had multiple cases of staff experiencing violence with whom we have been able to assist with choices, support and counselling.”
The Mounties Group DFSV Action Plan is part of a larger scheme of initiatives that aim to educate, train, support and provide access to resources and information to save people’s lives and provide hope.
“Family and domestic violence affects individuals from all walks of life. It is incumbent on us, as a workplace, as an industry and importantly as compassionate human beings, to promote awareness and support while providing education to all,” explained Mounties Group president John Dean.
“We are a proud employer of more than 1000 team members and are dedicated to increasing awareness, conducting training and enhancing the capabilities of our local community. Ultimately, we aim to inspire others to join us and actively participate in these efforts,” he added.
Beyond its new policies, increased training and internal resources, Mounties Group has also aligned with local Domestic Violence organisations and developed a support pathway for those who need help.
“All support we are providing our employees will be extended to our members, this includes developing resources and access to services from our partner organisations to ensure anyone within our care, has access to help when and if they need it,” stated Dean.
Mounties Group kicked off its new DFSV Action Plan last week with the ‘Break the Silence: End Domestic Violence’ luncheon hosted by TV presenter Jacinta Tynan and special guest speakers that included NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Hannah Tonkin; Rebecca Glenn, founder of the Centre for Women’s Economic Safety; and Gabrielle Morrisey, CEO of Women and Children First.