Domestic Violence Impact on Women’s Jobs and Education
A new report reveals the severe impact of domestic violence on women’s employment and education, with many being forced out of the workforce or facing reduced hours and lower pay compared to women who have not experienced abuse.
The report, The Cost of Domestic Violence to Women’s Employment and Education, quantifies for the first time the broader economic and educational consequences of domestic violence. The findings show that women who experience economic abuse are 9.4% less likely to be employed than those who haven’t, and domestic violence significantly hampers their educational progress, with nearly 15% fewer young women completing university degrees.
Key findings include:
Employment Gap: 72% of women who have endured economic abuse are employed, compared to 81.4% of women who haven’t.
Earnings Impact: Domestic violence often leads to long-term reductions in full-time employment, with some women seeing declines lasting at least five years.
Education Gap: A 9.7% reduction in university degree attainment for those who experience domestic violence.
Financial Distress: 44% of victim-survivors face financial difficulties, compared to just 7% of non-victims.
The report, led by Dr. Anne Summers AO and Professor of Domestic and Family Violence at the University of Technology Sydney, also calls for urgent interventions, including expanding support for student survivors and increasing awareness of paid domestic violence leave entitlements.
Professor Summers emphasised that domestic violence is not just a personal issue—it is a workplace and university issue that demands systemic action to prevent further economic harm to women.
