Making a difference to Domestic and Family Violence

2.2 million Australians have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from a partner, and 3.6 million Australian’s have experienced emotional abuse from a partner^*. Increasingly, perpetrators of violence are making use of technology (particular communications technology) to perpetrate their abuse.

We have a long history of working with our customers in vulnerable situations, and are proud of the relationships we have with organisations who already work to support those who are most in need across our society. We know that we form an important part of their ability to respond to these situations; supporting those in need.

But sadly, we have seen an increasing number of residential and small business customers affected by violence and abuse. And so, without hesitation, we have taken the Telco Industry Domestic and Family Violence pledge.

At Real World Technology Solutions, we do not accept domestic and family violence, in any form, perpetrated to or by our customers, employees or any person in Australia (or indeed, the world) and pledge to continually improve our support for victims and survivors.

We will do this through our commitment to:

• Applying our organisational resources to support DFV customer and employee victims and survivors and within our means, work to reduce instances of DFV in society.
• Producing a Domestic and Family Violence Action Plan, within two years of the date of signing the pledge, using the DFV Action Framework to inform our approach.
• Continuing to learn and revise our approach, mindful of the continually changing nature of technology facilitated abuse (TFA).
• Collaborating with other signatories, through Telco Together Foundation, to share challenges and solutions and further build best practice.

It should go without saying – caring for people is in our DNA; and we are 100% committed to working to help improve how we respond to these issues, and collaborating with our industry colleagues to continue to bring this much needed change.

You can read more about the state of Domestic and Family Violence in Australia in these reports.