While the phenomenon has worsened in 2020, it is estimated that more than one European woman in five is confronted with it. In this context, and in pursuit of their commitments and missions, POUR LA SOLIDARITE (Belgium), La Mission locale pour l'emploi de Bruxelles Ville (Belgium), the Fondation Agir Contre l'Exclusion (FACE), Asociata Touched Romania (Romania) and CEPS Projectes Socials (Spain) have formed the ACTIV partnership "Acting and collaborating to tackle intimate violence". Their collaboration has just resulted in the creation of the first guide dedicated to their professional reintegration: "Key elements for a successful return to employment for women confronted with domestic violence". 

#ActivProjectGuideBook : concrete measures for a successful return to work 

The guide "Key elements for a successful return to employment for women confronted with domestic violence" gives an overview of this violence and its situation in the different partner countries (national and international legal frameworks, etc.). This overview allows us to directly question employment and its role in the fight against violence against women. It also highlights the difficulties associated with returning to work and leaving the violent environment, which require vigilance and work: 

• The loss of self-esteem makes it difficult to feel a sense of personal worth and to develop the skills to act. 

• Domestic violence has consequences on work: loss of productivity, resignation, replacements, sick leave or prolonged absences...

• The effect of professional status has a direct impact on violence and the maintenance of a negative spiral: the unemployed, students and the handicapped are more likely to suffer domestic violence, while the least exposed are the retired.

Based on these findings, the ACTIV project, through a field survey, has enabled the partners to define indicators (5) of success to be considered in the return to employment of women who have been or are confronted with domestic violence. For each indicator, actions to be taken both with the women and with those who work with them were identified: 

1. Raising awareness of domestic violence

2. Covering basic needs 

3. Receive psychological support

4. Breaking social, professional and family isolation

5. Acting on the working environment 

Finally, the Guide concludes by stressing the fundamental role that companies must play in the fight against domestic violence and suggesting some actions to include them: 

• The work environment should be safe and secure, including promoting caring and communication, offering flexible working conditions, ensuring the safety of the employee in the workplace, and keeping records of any violent exchanges. 

• Companies should be encouraged to hire: one of the biggest challenges remains to provide victims of violence with empowering jobs that offer stability and economic independence.