Supporting Victims or Survivors

Carmarthenshire County Council is committed to ensuring that anyone disclosing domestic abuse, domestic or sexual violence will be listened to and supported. 

If you disclose domestic abuse, domestic or sexual violence to your manager, you can expect a sensitive and non-judgmental response and be able to discuss how the Council can support you.  If you prefer, you can ask to speak to someone of your own sex or ethnicity so they can assist you in raising the issues which need to be addressed to help support you during this period.

It is appreciated that it is hard for anyone to report domestic abuse, domestic or sexual violence.  It is recognised that there may be specific difficulties if you are LGBTQ+. This policy is inclusive of all our employees and is there to support you. 

Remember

• it is not your fault
• you will be listened to
• there is practical help and support available.

As an employee you can expect the Council to support you to identify and access confidential help and support if you wish.  

We understand how difficult it is to report domestic abuse, domestic or sexual violence and will work with you to prevent further harm against you or your children.  We also recognise that becoming free from abuse is a process that can take a long time, and will not judge any decisions made by you, but will provide on-going non-judgmental support and practical help.

Sources of other support from specialist agencies available in Carmarthenshire can be found on our Help and Support section.

If you disclose that you are experiencing domestic abuse, domestic or sexual violence, you can expect that any information you provide is confidential and will not be shared with other members of staff without your permission.

In circumstances where there are concerns about children or vulnerable adults, confidentiality cannot be assured. However, as far as possible, information will only be shared on a need-to-know basis.

Breaches of confidentiality by any member of staff will be taken seriously. 

Whilst Carmarthenshire County Council is committed to creating a workplace environment that enables you to disclose domestic abuse, domestic or sexual violence, it also respects your right to privacy and will not force you to share this information if you do not want to.

If you disclose domestic abuse, domestic or sexual violence, you can expect that your safety will be prioritised. Steps will be taken to minimise risks in the workplace, and you should be included in these decisions where possible in conjunction with your line manager.  Steps might include arranging another place where you can work (particularly if you work from home) or flexibility around your working pattern/hours.

If you work at home, your manager can find ways to communicate safely with you by text messaging if calls are not possible, or by agreeing a code word or hand signal to use to alert others you are experiencing domestic abuse.

When a disclosure is made, you might need time off to deal with a range of issues such as counselling, visits to support agencies, GP, police, solicitor, childcare, housing etc.  You should feel able to discuss reasonable time off with your manager who can authorise paid ‘Safe Leave’ of up to 10 days. 

Other paid or unpaid time off may be considered as appropriate in line with the Council’s time off and leave policies, e.g., where abuse impacts on your children you may need to be granted emergency carer leave in line with the Time Off for Dependants policy. Temporary flexible working arrangements may also be an option.

Unpaid leave will be considered after paid leave options have been exhausted.

If you are being denied access to your finances by an abusive partner, your manager can consider changes in your pay arrangements. This could be particularly important if you are planning on leaving your partner. Options available include:

• preventing a salary from going to the nominated bank account up to 48 hours prior to payday. Pay can be held until a new account is nominated;
• arranging for the you to be paid by cheque until a new account has been nominated.

The Council can also provide confidential counselling and support to you via the Occupational Health Unit.  Please refer to our Help and Support section.

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme is also known as Clare's Law. Under this scheme you can ask the police to check whether a new, former or existing partner has a violent past. This is called ‘right to ask’.  If records show that you may be at risk of domestic abuse from a partner, the police will consider disclosing the information.  A disclosure can be made if it is legal, proportionate and necessary to do so.

The ‘right to ask’ also allows a third party, such as a friend or family member, to apply for a disclosure on behalf of someone they know.  Again, the police can release information if it is lawful, necessary, and proportionate to do so.

To make an application under the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme contact the police on their non-emergency number 101.

In cases where both you and the perpetrator are employees of Carmarthenshire County Council, appropriate action will be taken. Your safety will always be prioritised over that of the perpetrator and action will be taken to minimise risks.  Whenever possible, steps will be taken to ensure you and the perpetrator do not come into contact in the workplace to minimise the potential for the perpetrator to use their position, or work resources, to find out details about your whereabouts.  This may include a change of duties for one or both employees or withdrawing the perpetrator’s access to certain systems and working environments.

IN AN EMERGENCY JUST LEAVE ALWAYS PUT YOUR OWN SAFETY FIRST – YOU CAN ALWAYS GET POSSESSIONS AND DOCUMENTS AT ANOTHER TIME

If you are not ready to leave:

• Tell someone nearby you trust about the abuse. They can call the police in case of an emergency.
• Agree a code word you can use with police or other services. In an emergency call 999.
• Practice ways to get out of your home quickly and safely.
• Find somewhere you can quickly and easily use a telephone or mobile – at work, a neighbour, a relative.
• Carry with you a list of telephone numbers of friends, relatives and emergency numbers in case you are unable to access your mobile phone.
• Keep your mobile phone charged and topped up, just in case you decide to leave.
• Keep the items you will need and some clothes ready to pack into a small bag. Keep these where you can quickly retrieve and pack them.
• Try to save some money for bus or taxi fares, if needed.
• Keep an extra set of keys for your home or car with someone you trust in case you need to leave immediately.
• Photocopy or know where important documents are (see the Leaving Home Checklist overleaf).
• Open a savings account in your own name to establish your independence.
• Decide who you could stay with, if the need arises.

If you are considering leaving home, please refer to the Leaving Home section below.

IN AN EMERGENCY JUST LEAVE ALWAYS PUT YOUR OWN SAFETY FIRST – YOU CAN ALWAYS GET POSSESSIONS AND DOCUMENTS AT ANOTHER TIME

If you are considering leaving home, here is a list of the items that would be useful to take with you if you decide to leave:

• Medication for you and any children
• Credit and Debit cards
• Mobile phone and charger
• Keys
• Benefit book(s)
• Birth Certificates (your own and any children)
• National Insurance Number
• Passport(s)
• Driving Licence
• Car documents (insurance, MOT, registration/log book)
• Originals or copies of:
  • Marriage/Civil Partnership Certificate
  • Divorce papers
  • Insurance documents
  • Utility and phone account details
  • Rent book
• Address Book
• Diary
• Change of clothes
• Toys
• Jewellery/sentimental items
• Snacks