Dunelm and Retail Trust launch industry campaign to combat domestic abuse

The RIADA launch follows reports of soaring call rates to police and domestic abuse helplines, with the Retail Trust now providing more counselling services for retail workers experiencing domestic abuse than ever before. 

Statistics from the World Health Organization show that a quarter of women and one in six men will now be affected by domestic abuse in their lives.

Retailers are being urged to sign up here and to download supporting resources, including template policies and guidance for managers and employees.

Dunelm’s senior inclusion, diversity and wellbeing manager Josie Dickinson says the retailer has now created a domestic abuse managers’ guide and policy and will be “training all our managers on domestic abuse awareness and signposting”. 

“As a member of RIADA, we feel a real sense of responsibility to educate and support our colleagues,” Dickinson adds.

The campaign, which Dunelm and the Retail Trust have created in partnership with the Domestic Abuse Alliance, urges retail employers to take the following steps:

1. Create a domestic abuse policy that will raise awareness among colleagues and make it easier for employees to speak out.

2. Educate managers to recognise the signs of abuse, and understand how to approach colleagues and offer practical support.

3. Join the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA), which provides free reports and resources to aid employers.

Retail workers can also access counselling, financial aid and referrals to the Domestic Abuse Alliance for specialist legal advice by contacting the Retail Trust’s wellbeing helpline.  

Chris Brook-Carter, chief executive of the Retail Trust, said: “By working together as a collective voice, retail has an unrivalled ability to build hope, health and happiness across the sector and the communities we work in and real power to make a change, both in and outside of the workplace.

“That is why we are now urging businesses to join us, Dunelm and the Domestic Abuse Alliance as we launch the RIADA campaign to raise awareness of domestic abuse and the actions employers can take to help colleagues when they most need it.”