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Isle of Wight NHS Trust Becomes First NHS Trust to Sign Up to EDAC on International Women’s Day

Supporting and empowering survivors of domestic abuse on International Women’s Day 2022

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust becomes the first NHS Trust to sign up to the Employee Domestic Abuse Covenant (EDAC) to support and empower survivors of domestic abuse to enter or re-enter the workplace.

By signing up the Trust will work towards ensuring the opportunities are in place for domestic abuse victims and survivors who are applying for new roles. The Trust will also work towards creating inclusive workplace opportunities, mentoring schemes and act as a champion to break the taboos surrounding victims and survivors of domestic abuse. 

Julie Pennycook, Director for People and Organisational Development said: “On International Women’s Day we are pleased to share that we have made this commitment to support women who have survived domestic abuse. 

“As one of the Island’s largest employers and with a female workforce of over 74% this is an important milestone for our organisation to support our community and our staff better.”

Founding member of EDAC, Polly Harrar said: “We are delighted that the Isle of Wight NHS Trust has become the first NHS Trust to sign this important Covenant and in doing so, they are leading the way for others to mobilise their efforts in providing sustainable solutions and opportunities for victims/survivors of domestic abuse” 

Louise Carrington, Adult Safeguarding Lead said: “We know that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. People who have experienced domestic abuse could be a real asset to the NHS. 

“They will have life experiences and skills to bring to so many roles and as an employer we are flexible with working patterns and locations to provide that additional support they may need.

“Financial stability is power and if we can support people better by working towards the accreditation and getting them in the workplace this will make such a difference to so many individuals.”

International Women’s Day, Tuesday 9 March, is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and the theme of this years #IWD2022 is to #BreakTheBias. Everyday thousands of women use their experiences and passion to enact change, support others and to transform the response to domestic abuse. 

Through the IOW NHS Trust’s commitment to create positive, long term and sustainable solutions by supporting women affected by abuse into the workplace, they will be lead the way in their sector and the communities they serve 

Notes for Editors
The International Women’s Day hashtag is #IWD2022 and this year’s theme is #BreakTheBias
The Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant is the third Covenant in the UK, which follows on from the Armed Forces and Care Leavers Covenants, and the first to address Domestic Abuse. It has been included as a recommendation in the upcoming  Domestic Abuse Strategy 2022 and shines a spotlight on economic abuse
EDAC is supported by the Department for Work and Pensions, Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, Home Office and the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales.
For more information please visit: https://edacuk.org/about/ 
For further information contact the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Communications & Engagement Team on 01983-822099 ext. 6175.  Further information about health services can be found at www.iow.nhs.uk or www.nhs.uk.