West Australian public sector employees suffering domestic violence are now entitled to 10 days per year of special leave.
The state government said the flexibility, commencing Wednesday, would allow victims to attend medical appointments or court hearings.
Rates of domestic violence in WA are only topped by the Northern Territory.Credit: Dimitri Maruta
WA has the second highest rate of reported physical and sexual violence perpetrated against women in Australia, second only to the Northern Territory.
Simone McGurk, WA minister for the prevention of domestic violence, told Radio 6PR that policies needed to be introduced to tackle the soaring rates of domestic violence in the state.
"It's an entitlement for paid leave, we don't expect a lot of accessing of it, but it means that people who are experiencing violence can get some assistance.
"It says to employees that [...] they can come forward and and talk about their issues, that's as strong as the leave entitlement itself."
Ms McGurk said by giving employees the chance to attend appointments, the non-cumulative leave would also ensure victims of domestic violence could stay in paid employment, which was important financially and on a social level.
WA Premier Mark McGowan put out a directive to implement the leave immediately despite unions on a national level also pushing for the proposal to grant domestic violence leave for public sector employees.
National domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT. In an emergency call triple-zero.
- AAP, with Fran Rimrod