What is 'safe leave' and how can it help domestic abuse victims?
A proposed law set to be tabled in parliament could see domestic abuse victims given access to paid time off work to help them stay safe.
Under the proposed law, people experiencing domestic abuse would be entitled to several days of 'safe leave' so they can address issues including finding a place of safety, dealing with health issues and attending police interviews.
It is the subject of a private members’ bill that Labour MP Alex McIntyre will seek to introduce to the Commons on Tuesday using the 10-minute rule process, which allows him to speak for up to 10 minutes on why he wants to introduce the bill.
Any MP wanting to oppose it can also make a speech, before MPs decide on whether the bill can be introduced or not.
What is 'safe leave'?
Safe leave is paid leave from work that can be used by an employee who is a victim of domestic abuse, for the purpose of dealing with issues related to the domestic abuse.
McIntyre said he had met with organisations in his Gloucester constituency who had suggested better support is needed for survivors, including safe leave, according to the MP.
He told the PA news agency: “The bill proposes a right to paid safe leave for people experiencing domestic abuse to address issues related to that abuse. This could include, for example, finding a place of safety, dealing with health or housing issues, childcare, attending court or police interviews, attending counselling etc.”
In 2022 the Northern Ireland Assembly passed legislation entitling victims of domestic abuse to 10 days’ paid leave each leave year.
How many people experience domestic violence in the UK?
According to the National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV), one in five adults experience domestic abuse during their lifetime - equating to one in four women and one in six-seven men.
It said the police recorded 1,500,369 domestic abuse-related incidents and crimes in England and Wales in the year ending March 2022 - up 7.7% on the previous year.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said theCrime Survey for England and Wales estimated that 2.3m people aged 16 years and over (1.6 million women and 712,000 men) experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2024.
The police recorded 851,062 domestic abuse-related crimes in England and Wales in the year ending March 2024, and there were were 51,183 domestic abuse-related prosecutions in England and Wales that year, it said.
What is going to happen on Tuesday?
McIntyre will seek to introduce the Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Bill to the House of Commons on Tuesday in a bid to enable it to be considered further by MPs.
His proposal suggests creating the right to 10 days’ paid safe leave although this would be subject to consultation.
McIntyre will seek to introduce his bill to the Commons using the 10-minute rule process.
He will have up to 10 minutes to make a speech on why he wants to introduce his PMB and any MP wishing to oppose it can also make a 10-minute speech. The house will then decide whether or not the bill should be introduced.
What will happen next?
Private members’ bills (PMBs) tabled by backbench MPs often face a battle to become law due to a lack of parliamentary time.
If successful, the PMB is taken to have had its first reading and McIntyre will set a date for when he would like it to be debated at second reading.
McIntyre has also held talks with ministers about the government’s ongoing work.
He said: “I know that the home secretary (Yvette Cooper) and (justice secretary) Shabana Mahmood have placed victims and survivors at the heart of this mission and have spoken with (Home Office minister) Jess Phillips and (justice minister) Alex Davies-Jones about the brilliant work that they are already doing.
“This bill is intended to start a conversation about how we can make workplaces a safer place for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and violence, and I will continue to raise this issue on behalf of my constituents.”
