The SAFE Pledge
When Jenni Robertson, Voltage Control's Head of Operations, was killed by her husband after a prolonged period of abuse, our grief was amplified because we were unaware of the situation and had missed important signs and signals we could have spotted with proper training. We knew that we wanted to learn how to spot abuse and support those affected by family violence and also that as a change agency we wanted to help other companies do the same.
While effective company leaders understand a culture of sustained psychological safety should include supporting that safety at work and home, they may not be aware of training or other resources available to help them do that. The tragic effects of family violence are compounded when those affected don’t have the means to access available resources, and the people around them don’t have the skills to recognize abusive situations and offer support. We also know that because of the intergenerational and historical cycle of violence, domestic and family abuse have a greater impact on communities of color and traditionally marginalized communities.
We believe that supporting colleagues and loved ones who may be living with abuse is everyone’s responsibility. Starting with that belief, we have worked with the team at The SAFE Alliance, a Texas non-profit that works to stop abuse for everyone, to develop the SAFE Pledge. The Pledge provides a roadmap so that other organizations can learn what we wish we had known before the senseless loss of our beloved colleague and her young son. Together we can prevent these tragedies from happening to others.
The SAFE Pledge
We believe that we can be an active part of ending family violence and supporting those affected by it. To do that, we pledge to:
Provide resources within our workplace and our community that will raise awareness about family violence, help people recognize potentially abusive or violent situations, and offer support safely, always recognizing the disproportionate impact of violence and abuse on traditionally marginalized communities.
Identify two** representatives from our organization to receive SAFE Pledge Training from SAFE*.
An initial cost of $1000 will cover the two people required for Signing Member status, with additional registrations available for $500/person.
Create comprehensive company policies that support employees who may be affected by family violence, and share them with all employees.
Work in partnership with SAFE* to support their mission to stop abuse for everyone.
*If you are building a relationship with a different organization that works to end family violence, or if you are outside the US, please note that in the ‘Comments’ field.
**Companies with fewer than eight employees only need to identify one SAFE Pledge Representative for training.
We invite other organizations to join us in this pledge. Together we can create real change.
Looking for more information? See the Signing Member Requirements
Signing Members
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