Violence in intimate relationships is a silent public health problem, and it is inherent in the workplace. The Green Party is now proposing that the Skåne Region strengthen its capacity to detect and support employees exposed to violence. “Violence in intimate relationships affects people’s health, safety, and ability to work. The Skåne Region is the largest employer in the region; therefore, we have a special responsibility to act,” says Yanira Difonis Montoya (MP), a member of the regional council.
Violence in intimate relationships is one of our most widespread social problems. According to the National Center for Women’s Peace, one in four women in Sweden has been subjected to violence in an intimate relationship. For many, the workplace is one of the few safe environments where there may be an opportunity to receive support – but only if the right routines are in place. Today, there is a lack of clear guidelines within Region Skåne for how managers, HR staff and colleagues can act in the event of suspicion of violence.
The Green Party proposes in a motion to the regional council that Region Skåne take greater responsibility in this matter – both to protect employees and to be a pioneer as an employer. The proposals include that Region Skåne should include violence in close relationships in systematic work environment work, train managers and HR and ensure that there are procedures for how to identify and support vulnerable employees.
– We know that exposure to violence affects both attendance, well-being and performance at work. By training managers and creating safe structures, Region Skåne can make a real difference, both as an employer and as a social actor, says Yanira Difonis Montoya (MP).
– We need to work on several levels to make Region Skåne a workplace where people want to work and choose to stay. Working actively against violence in close relationships can be part of that. Ultimately, it is about saving lives, says Mätta Ivarsson , group leader for the Green Party in Region Skåne.
Several regions, including the Västra Götaland Region and the Stockholm Region, have already begun the work. This could involve raising the topic in employee interviews, training managers and HR staff, informing about support channels and collaborating with occupational health care and other social actors. Now is the time for Skåne to take its responsibility.
– Every year, the work against violence in intimate relationships is a priority area in the Green Party’s budget proposal. We have been pushing the issue of violence in intimate relationships both intensively and for a long time. Among other things, the Green Party has demanded increased resources for child protection teams whose task is to highlight violence in intimate relationships. And we have proposed establishing violence in intimate relationships teams. The focus has been on patients. Now it is time to ensure that Region Skåne takes greater responsibility, also as an employer, for detecting violence in intimate relationships among its own employees, says Mätta Ivarsson.
