A new bill giving domestic-violence victims 10 days off work annually on abuse-related leave would be valuable to abused women - provided they weren't too ashamed to tell their bosses, Rotorua Women's Refuge says.
Green Party women's spokeswoman Jan Logie last week launched The Domestic Violence - Victims' Protection Bill alongside research showing domestic violence costs Kiwi businesses $368million a year in lost productivity. The bill would introduce workplace protections for abuse victims to help reduce that cost.
"Victims of domestic violence often lose their jobs because they may not be able to focus on their work, are unable to show up to work, or are stalked by their abusers while at work," Ms Logie said.
According to Women's Refuge, one in three Kiwi women are victims of domestic violence.
The new bill would give victims flexibility in their working arrangements, protect them from workplace discrimination, and grant sufferers up to 10 days' leave.