Global training programme launches to help UK workplaces support employees affected by domestic and sexual violence 

A new global training initiative has launched to help workplaces better support employees affected by domestic and sexual violence, with implications for UK employers seeking to strengthen wellbeing, safeguarding and duty of care in practice. 

Developed by AXA, Safe Spaces is a video-led training programme designed to help employees recognise and respond to signs of abuse in the workplace. The programme is intended to support real-world action rather than awareness or policy alone and has been made available at no cost to participating organisations to remove common barriers for HR and people teams. 

In England and Wales, an estimated 2.3 million people experience domestic abuse each year. For UK employers, this presents a significant wellbeing challenge that often remains hidden at work, despite clear links between abuse, mental health, absence, performance and safety. While many organisations have policies in place, translating those commitments into day-to-day support remains difficult. 

Kirsty Leivers, chief culture, inclusion and diversity officer at AXA, said the programme was designed to complement existing workplace policies by helping people apply them in practice. 

“At AXA, we believe the workplace can play an important role in supporting people who experience domestic and sexual violence,” she said. “Safe Spaces was created to give people the confidence to act, not just to be aware. By combining expert insight with powerful storytelling, the programme supports our commitment to creating safe and supportive workplaces.” 

To deliver the training, AXA partnered with Omni Productions, a Bristol-based creative production company specialising in HR and internal communications. Omni worked closely with AXA’s HR, inclusion and communications teams, alongside subject-matter experts and specialist organisations, to translate sensitive and complex issues into accessible learning tools. 

Sam Hearn, co-owner and managing director at Omni, said HR teams are increasingly being asked to lead on complex social issues inside organisations. 

“Our role is to support them by turning responsibility into something practical,” he said. “Using drama allows people to understand context and engage with learning in a way that feels relevant. It was important that this work was handled with care, and we’re proud to have been trusted to deliver a programme of this significance.” 

As part of the initiative, Omni created a dedicated Safe Spaces website to host training films and resources in one place. The platform acts as a learning hub for employees and a gateway to specialist support services, supporting both immediate action and longer-term awareness. 

The programme launched initially in France and the UK and will be rolled out globally in 11 languages, with further content planned for 2026. Omni worked with local AXA teams to ensure the training was culturally appropriate across different regions, while maintaining a consistent core approach. 

Early engagement data suggests strong uptake, with high dwell time and repeat visits indicating that employees are engaging meaningfully with the content. Leivers said this response reinforces the importance of human-centred approaches to sensitive workplace issues. 

“What’s been particularly encouraging is the level of engagement we’re seeing,” she said. “It shows that employees are willing to engage when training feels respectful, practical and handled with care.” 

For UK employers, Safe Spaces offers a practical example of how wellbeing initiatives can move beyond awareness to embed meaningful support into everyday working life. As organisations continue to expand their approach to wellbeing, safeguarding and inclusion, initiatives that focus on confidence, capability and real-world action are likely to play an increasingly important role.