Orbit has become the first housing association in the country to sign up to the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant (EDAC).
EDAC is a pledge by businesses to support women affected by abuse to enter or re-enter the workplace. As part of signing up to the covenant, Orbit will be providing training and awareness raising opportunities for its colleagues as well as identifying roles within the organisation for women seeking sustainable employment.
To launch the new partnership, Orbit will be hosting a ‘This is me’ webinar for colleagues hosted by EDAC and guest speaker Shana Begum who will be sharing her personal experiences of domestic abuse and coercive control.
Orbit colleagues will also be invited to become EDAC Champions to help develop a new Domestic Abuse Policy for the organisation.
Paul Richards, Group Director of Customer and Communities at Orbit, said: "The safeguarding of our customers and colleagues is paramount, and we are proud to be the first Housing Association to sign up to the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant, which demonstrates our commitment to supporting domestic abuse survivors by providing work opportunities in our diverse and inclusive organisation."
Founding member of EDAC, Polly Harrar said: "We are delighted Orbit Group has signed up to the Covenant and we look forward to working together to raise awareness and create sustainable opportunities for women affected by abuse.”