The Business Case for Tackling Domestic Abuse: Why It Matters in the Workplace

The Worshipful Company of Insurers hosted a powerful and necessary event, The Business Case of Domestic Abuse, led by Lady Mayoress Florence King and organised by.

This gathering brought together business leaders, advocates, and experts to confront the magnitude of domestic abuse, its staggering impact on the workforce, and the crucial role employers can play in safeguarding their people.

The statistics are sobering.

One in four women and one in seven men experience domestic abuse—often in silence.

The toll on business is vast, with an estimated £17 billion lost annually due to reduced productivity, absenteeism, and staff turnover. But beyond the numbers, two women are killed each week in the UK due to domestic abuse.

This is a human crisis—and a workplace issue.

Lady Mayoress Florence King emphasised that since we spend a third of our lives at work, the workplace can often be a rare refuge for those living in fear. “Businesses have a unique opportunity to unlock safety” urging employers not just to have policies, but to create cultures where support and follow-up are non-negotiable.

Actress Sam Beckinsale offered a powerful painful personal testimony, reminding attendees that abuse transcends background, fame, or success. “It can happen to anyone,” she said, underscoring that domestic abuse is not just physical—it includes coercive control, financial manipulation, and emotional harm. Tragically, many perpetrators remain free, hidden behind the complexities of abuse and systemic failures.

Ayesha Fordham of EIDA and Sarah Brown of We Thrive Consulting from We Thrive Consulting called on employers to go beyond checklists. It’s about knowing how to act when someone discloses abuse, and fostering a truly supportive culture. Alongside Dr. Genevieve Groom, their coaching work helps survivors understand and rebuild their responses in the workplace, unlocking resilience and potential.

This event was more than a discussion—it was a call to action. Businesses must recognise that domestic abuse is not a private matter. It is a workplace issue, a leadership responsibility, and, above all, a human one. Supporting survivors isn't just the right thing to do—it’s essential to building safer, healthier, and more productive organisations.