fbpx
DONATE
Challenge-DV-separator-block-2300x23

Your Workplace Partner

Our vision is to create a world without domestic and family violence.

Formerly Australia's CEO Challenge, Challenge DV has been partnering with Australian businesses since 2001. Our proven Workplace Prevention Program empowers businesses to be part of the solution. We help develop workplace policy and educate managers and staff to recognise the signs and respond appropriately. We work with workplaces to raise awareness about this critical safety issue, provide opportunities to directly support frontline services, and encourage participation in community activities demonstrating to employees and customers your company values.

Our Domestic and Family Violence Learning Solutions are suitable for all workplace groups and are designed to provide the tools for workplaces to create an impact that matters. Contact us today to get started!

Learn about our Workplace Learning Solutions

Our partnerships provide much needed support to DFV refuges, outreach services and men’s behaviour change programs through donations, in-kind support and volunteer opportunities. Challenge DV draws on their expertise and relationships to facilitate safe, meaningful and rewarding partnerships to all involved.

Learn about our Partnerships

Challenge DV encourages community leaders to start conversations in their workplace about domestic and family violence, whilst fundraising at the same time. Learn more about our annual events and how you can contribute to our cause.

Learn about our Annual Fundraising Events

Why is Domestic and Family Violence A Workplace Issue?

Domestic and family violence is not just a private or personal issue. When an employee is living with domestic and family violence, there are often very real costs and negative impacts that flow to the workplace.

Impact on Employees

Violence and the Workplace Survey found that nearly half (48%) of respondents who reported experiencing domestic and family violence said the violence had affected their ability to get to work.[12] The main impact of violence was on work performance - 16% of people affected by domestic and family violence reported being distracted, tired or unwell and 10% needed to take time off work.[13] Further, women who experience domestic and family violence are also more likely to have lower personal incomes, a disrupted work history, often have to change jobs at short notice and are very often employed in casual or part time work.[14]

Health Costs

In Australia, intimate partner violence is the leading contributor to death, disability and illness in women aged 15 to 44 years. It is responsible for more of the disease burden in women than many other well-known risk factors, such as smoking and obesity.

Economic Costs

Within the population of women who have experienced violence, or are currently experiencing violence, the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that between 55% and 70% are currently in the workforce[10] – that is, approximately 800,000 women, or around one in six female workers. This means that a significant number of Australian workplaces will be impacted by women’s experiences of domestic and family violence.

Source: Australian Human Rights Commission

What Can Workplaces Do To Support Employees Affected by Domestic and Family Violence?

Challenge-DV-separator-block-2000x40

Workplaces play an important role in supporting those affected by DFV and helping spread awareness of DFV. Employers can encourage a safe and supportive environment that will benefit everyone. There are some major advantages for employers who provide a safe workplace, these include higher retention rates, increased staff morale, and improved health and wellbeing. There are many actions that an employer can take to ensure that the workplace is safe and supportive.

Start A Conversation With Your Employees

It is important that employers start a conversation with their employees about domestic and family violence. They need to make it clear that:

  • domestic and family violence will affect the workplace
  • that those who are experiencing DFV are not alone
  • all employees should feel confident that they can tell their employer that they are experiencing DFV at home without fearing for their employment
  • Bystanders should stand up for and help those who are victims of DFV
Establish Clear Policies and Procedures

It is important to develop a policy to support women and men who may be experiencing domestic and family violence. These policies should include developing a safe workplace, that is free from harassment and bullying, which also deals with employees who perpetrate violence in the workplace.

Employers should ensure that these policies and procedures are well known by staff and that employees are encouraged to use the policies.

Implement an Awareness-Raising and Education Programs

Begin training your staff on how to recognise, approach and assist their colleagues if they are a victim of DFV. This should also include ways in which they can support victims to make the workplace a safe space for them. Training should also be provided around workplace policy, ensuring that the workplace is a safe space for survivors as well. 

Workplace Training by Challenge DV

Challenge-DV-separator-block-2000x40
Economic Cost of DFV
ACEOC5012 Homepage Squares 1080x1080_FA-01
ACEOC5012 Homepage Squares 1080x1080_FA-02

Workplace Giving

Challenge-DV-separator-block-2000x40
GoodCompany Logos-01

Challenge DV is excited to be engaging in workplace giving via the Good Company.

Workplace giving enables you to set up regular payroll giving or you can give a one-off donation. All donations over $2 are tax-deductible and you will be sent a receipt for tax purposes. You also have the opportunity to gift someone a donation to Challenge DV. You can remain anonymous or leave your details so we can thank you and acknowledge your generous gift. All donations will support us in continuing our work to make a difference towards ending domestic and family violence within our workplaces and communities.

If you or your workplace would like to support us to continue the work we do, please click on the button below.

Support Us

Darkness to Daylight Challenge

Darkness to Daylight is a symbolic 110km run with each kilometer representing the lives lost on average to domestic and family violence (DFV) each year across Australia. Participants can run the 110km individually or as part of a team. Alternatively, they can run or walk the final 10km or 3km. Challenge DV aims to bring DFV out of the darkness and into the daylight through this community event.

Money raised during the event supports Challenge DV in continuing their work to raise awareness of DFV in the workplace and support services on the frontline. This year, we saw a record 2,730 participants take part in the challenge and raise over $140,000! We are extremely overwhelmed by the generous support and commitment to the 2019 Darkness to Daylight Challenge! We hope to see many more people taking on the challenge this year on 21st-22nd October.

Every step counts.

Learn More

Sponsors and Supporters

Challenge-DV-separator-block-2000x40

Stay in touch! Sign up to our e-newsletter here.