The Agency Group Founder and Executive Director Mr Paul Niardone said that the Company was not the first organisation to introduce corporate support for victims of domestic violence, but that the increasing tide of unacceptable violence demanded greater action.
The Family and Domestic Violence Support policy makes available to Agency Group staff an emergency one-off payment of up to $5,000, matching the contribution available through the Federal Government’s newly introduced Leaving Violence Program as part of the 2024-2025 Federal Budget.
In addition, The Agency Group is creating a national working party consisting of both members of staff and senior management to consider further policies, programs and actions to support staff affected by domestic violence.
The Agency Group already operates a number of state-based committees which will support the new national working party.
Allied Service Manager at The Agency and facilitator to The Agency’s WA-based female working group, Ms Stacey Dragicevich said:
“I am very proud to see senior management of The Agency Group introduce significantly enhanced support for victims of domestic violence. Reducing domestic violence and providing better support for victims is an issue which I am very passionate about and I will continue to call for a greater response from the community.
“The impact of domestic violence is not just physical, it is also psychological, emotional and financial. The introduction of these policies, while not an exhaustive solution, provides a meaningful contribution helping to reduce feelings of insecurity at a time when victims feel most vulnerable.”
Commenting on the enhanced support for victims of domestic violence, The Agency Group Founder Mr Niardone said:
“While there are many worthwhile causes which certainly require greater support, I am sure I am not alone in being shocked at the prevalence of domestic violence within the community.
“Resolving the domestic violence crisis is not just reserved for government or the legal system, it demands a response from corporate groups and, more broadly, society as whole.
“In addition to some of the high-profile cases which have been recently documented, some of the less-known statistics are equally appalling with one-in-six women reporting to have experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner and reports domestic violence from women as young as 15 years old[1].
“These numbers are not acceptable and while raising awareness is important, so too is action – and I am pleased to see that The Agency Group is playing an active role in enhancing support for victims.”
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