Teesside domestic abuse support charity welcomes proposals for 'safe leave'
An MP's introducing the Domestic Abuse 'Safe Leave' Bill in Parliament
Last updated 1st May 2025
A domestic abuse support charity in Teesside is welcoming a proposed law which gives victims access to paid time off work.
An MP is introducing the Domestic Abuse 'Safe Leave' Bill in Parliament today in a bid to enable it to be considered further by MPs.
It would see them have 10 days, which would be up for consultation, to help with things like finding a place of safety, dealing with health issues and attending police interviews.
Richinda Taylor, chief executive of EVA Women's Aid in Redcar, said: "It's for not just those who are experiencing it but those that are actually dealing with it, so I think it's important to notice the difference. But anything that encourages employers to look at the impact on a victim of domestic abuse and therefore, their performance at work, can only be a good thing.
"I think we also need to remind ourselves that there can be a massive mental health impact on victims of domestic abuse who've been subject to abuse from a perpetrator. The impact on their mental health can be massive and it can be short term or long term.
"10 days or two weeks off a general working pattern seems like a good place to start and for some victims they won't need that amount and for others they'll need more, but obviously there has to be a starting position, there has to be a line drawn somewhere and 10 days seems like a reasonable place to start.
"The Labour Government have made a very bold move in saying they're going to reduce domestic abuse by half in the next 10 years and one would assume that this is part of that plan. It's good to see that there are some things that are happening in regards to that claim and that they're moving that claim forward."
The Domestic Abuse 'Safe Leave' Bill
Domestic abuse victims would have access to paid time off work to help them stay safe under a proposed law to be tabled in Parliament.
People experiencing domestic abuse would be allowed several days of "safe leave" to assist them in addressing issues related to the abuse, including finding a place of safety, dealing with health issues and attending police interviews.
Labour MP Alex 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.
Mr McIntyre has met with organisations in his Gloucester constituency to understand the scale of domestic violence in the area, the work being done to support survivors and what else they would like to see.
Better support for survivors in the workplace was among the ideas, including safe leave, according to the MP.
Mr McIntyre 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."
He added: "This Labour Government has set an ambitious mission to halve violence against women and girls over the next decade.
"I fully support this mission and think this Bill would complement that work."
Private members' bills (PMBs) tabled by backbench MPs face a battle to become law due to a lack of parliamentary time.
Mr McIntyre has 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."
Mr 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 PMB should be introduced.
If successful, the PMB is taken to have had its first reading and Mr McIntyre will set a date for when he would like it to be debated at second reading.