Making workplaces domestic violence free

A DVFREE workplace is one where:

  • Employees impacted by domestic violence feel safe and supported at work
  • Domestic violence is not tolerated or excused; the workplace promotes and supports respectful behaviour within domestic/family relationships
  • All employees know what to do if a work colleague is experiencing or perpetrating domestic violence
  • A best practice workplace response to domestic violence exceeds legal obligations under the Domestic Violence – Victims Protection Act 2018 and other laws

A DVFREE customer response is one where: 

  • Customers experiencing domestic violence are treated with dignity and empathy, while prioritising their safety and privacy
  • These customers receive extra care where their experience of domestic violence impacts on their experience as a customer
  • These customers receive information about specialist services in the community
The DVFREE Tick

The DVFREE Tick

is a mark of confidence that an employer has taken meaningful steps to achieve the goals of a DVFREE workplace. Read more

Workplace Guidelines

Workplace Guidelines

provide recommendations for employers that meet and go beyond legal obligations. Read more

Speaker addressing a crowd

DVFREE Training

is delivered by highly skilled specialists to support your domestic violence workplace and customer response. Read more

DVFREE Readiness Quiz

DVFREE Readiness Quiz

Answer 10 questions to find out if your organisation has all the key elements of a DVFREE Workplace. Read more

Partners

The DVFREE Tick has been awarded to these employers, with many more on the way.

asb
AA Insurance
Callaghan Innovation
suncorp
AIG
Westpac

Why go DVFREE?

Why support employees experiencing domestic violence?
Why support customers who experience domestic violence?

1. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY & SUSTAINABILITY

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
EMPLOYEE SAFETY & WELLBEING

2. EMPLOYEE HEALTH, SAFETY & WELLBEING

LEGAL OBLIGATIONS & PRODUCTIVITY

3. CUSTOMER CARE & SAFETY

4. LEGAL OBLIGATIONS

LEGAL OBLIGATIONS & PRODUCTIVITY

5. THE FINANCIAL COST TO BUSINESS

dollar note

“'It stands out to me that nearly half of people experiencing violence at home are likely to talk to a work colleague. That makes it all the more important that our employees know we are an organisation that is approachable and will be understanding through tough times.  Our DVFREE Tick is an ongoing commitment to our people that we will show care in their time of need.”

— Catherine McGrath - Westpac NZ CEO

“The DVFREE customer response training reinforces being the bridge to help our customers, opens our eyes to signs and provides real life examples that we can apply to our job - it was very practical, with great facilitation.”

— IAG Care Team member training evaluation

“With specialist support from Shine, we are able to provide our people with a work environment where those affected by domestic violence are able to and feel supported to speak up, are treated with dignity and empathy, and where safety and privacy is protected."

— Catherine Dixon - Suncorp New Zealand Executive General Manager People and Culture

"It is our duty as a responsible employer to ensure our people feel safe and supported at work. Shine’s DVFREE programme has given us the knowledge and tools to be confident in how we respond to any of our people who experience domestic violence.”

— David Stevenson, General Manager, Parliamentary Service

“The model we have developed with Shine has given our managers tools to deal with some of the issues faced by our people. The systems we have put in place are already working." The Ministry of Justice was the first state sector agency awarded the DVFREE Tick. CE Andrew Bridgman urged other public sector organisations to follow its lead.

— Andrew Bridgman, Chief Executive, Ministry of Justice

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