Why should trade unions be involved in stopping violence against women?
First, because a high proportion of trade union members are women. Second, because trade unions oppose violence in general in the workplace and wider community. Unions can support women in ways that are sometimes not possible in families and local communities. In some workplaces, for example, where unions have negotiated agreements to assist survivors of domestic abuse, women have felt able to come forward and seek support. It is really important not to underestimate the need to raise awareness on the issue of violence against women. That’s come over to me from a lot of women; they want people to know the truth about it. And they want any woman suffering from it not to feel that she’s alone. Unions have an essential part in that, and the responsibility to make sure that all union reps or officers representing workers understand the issues so they can take them up. Union education is part of turning policies into practice, so we are not just committing ourselves to statements, but doing
