2 years on, FDV leave has ‘saved lives’

As this week marks the two-year anniversary of the implementation of paid family and domestic violence leave, individuals who have witnessed the impact of this “landmark entitlement” spoke on the significant benefits this leave has provided for those affected by domestic violence.

The paid family and domestic violence (FDV) leave, introduced by the Albanese Labor government, recently commemorated its second anniversary of providing essential support to individuals affected by domestic violence.

This “landmark entitlement,” vigorously advocated by the Australian Services Union (ASU), the broader union movement, and the Albanese government, ensures that all Australian workers, including casual employees, have the right to up to 10 days of paid leave each year.

In a joint statement issued by the Minister for Social Services and the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, the issue of violence against women and children was characterised as “a problem of epidemic proportions in Australia”.

The statement revealed alarming statistics, indicating that “one in three women has experienced physical violence since the age of 15, and one in five has experienced sexual violence”.

Emeline Gaske, the national secretary of the ASU, highlighted the significant impact of the FDV leave, noting “the real difference” it has made in providing essential support to numerous women in Australia who are encountering distressing circumstances.

“Paid family and domestic violence leave has changed lives. It’s given women the freedom to escape violence without fear of losing their job or financial security.

“Two years on, we know this leave has made a real difference. It’s helped women find safety, protect their children, and access the support they need to rebuild their lives,” Gaske said.

Gaske explained that the entitlement goes beyond merely granting time off; rather, “it’s about dignity, safety and survival”.

She also recounted that numerous women have confided in her about how this leave “has saved their lives and given them the chance to break free from violence that they’ve never had before”.

Sophie, a family support services worker from NSW, also echoed the life-changing effects of FDV leave on individuals’ lives, drawing on her direct experiences as a witness to these significant changes.

“I’ve seen how this leave has made a real difference in people’s lives. I know of women who have been able to attend court, meet with support services, and take the steps they need to protect themselves – steps they would have struggled to take without this paid entitlement,” Sophie said.

She pointed out the overarching message conveyed through this entitlement, indicating that family and domestic violence constitute a “serious issue” within the country that necessitates a collaborative approach to address the issue effectively.

“This isn’t just about giving people paid leave – it’s about sending a clear message that family and domestic violence is a serious issue that affects all of us. It’s an issue for individuals, for communities, for workplaces. We all have a role to play in shifting the culture and keeping each other safe from harm.

“Family and domestic violence doesn’t just stay behind closed doors. It impacts workplaces, communities, and the whole of society. This leave has been an important step in ensuring people experiencing violence get the support they need,” Sophie said.

An independent review conducted by Flinders University has demonstrated the beneficial effects of the policy on victim-survivors who have utilised their entitled paid FDV leave.

Of the respondents, 91 per cent indicated that the leave “helped them maintain their income”, while 89 per cent said it “helped them to retain their employment.

The review further revealed that the leave was used for various essential purposes, including arranging safety for themselves and their children, accessing medical and legal services, and attending court hearings.

The Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth, expressed her pride in the policy’s effectiveness in supporting victims of violence, emphasising the commitment to ensuring that “we refuse to be a nation in which individuals must compromise their safety in exchange for a wage”.

The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator Murray Watt, also praised the FDV leave, expressing its significant role in ensuring that all Australians are allowed to maintain their financial independence without compromising their personal safety.

“This change meant for the first time, all Australian employees – including casuals – can access 10 days paid leave each year when impacted by family and domestic violence,” Watt said.

“This critical leave entitlement ensures workers can maintain their financial independence through what is an incredibly difficult and terrifying time in their lives, and it saves lives.”