UCU: The impact of casualised contracts on survivors of domestic violence

Motion

Motion title: The impact of casualised contracts on survivors of domestic violence

Motion text: Women – shock absorbers of poverty – are increasingly affected by the intersection of domestic violence at home and work with low paid, insecure work, profoundly affecting their physical & psychosocial health. In post-16 education a 15% pay cut, limited access to legal aid, cost of living crisis and casualisation (lack of sick pay, leave and fear to speak out) force women to stay with their abusers. Black, trans, migrant and disabled women are disproportionately affected.
Congress resolves to:
1. Pressure institutions to negotiate domestic violence policies prioritising the risks exacerbated by casualised contracts and immigration status.
2. Campaign for gender based hate crimes, including misogyny, to be recorded under hate crime legislation.
3. UCU to affiliate to DV campaigns, calling for legal aid and provision of counselling, and refuges for DV survivors.
4. Support branches to use their local TU education units to provide member support.
5. Provide specialist training to reps supporting survivors of DV.
6. Advocate for the abolition of No Recourse to Public Funds which restricts migrant women's access to refuges. Support the Step Up Migrant Women campaign – which seeks safe-reporting mechanisms and an end to data-sharing between the police and the Home Office- (i.e. sharing campaign via Friday email, invite to Equality Conference, etc.)