A Cork survivor of domestic abuse says employers can support the victims of 'insidious abuse' by doubling the number of domestic violence leave available to staff.
Regina was speaking at day one of a three day Fórsa trade union conference in the city where members voted in favour of a motion to enter into collective bargaining to increase the number of domestic violence leave to ten days.
A bill to legislate for the leave entitlements of staff was signed into law at the start of April and contains the provision that victims of domestic abuse receive five days paid leave.
Fórsa says five days is a welcome start but is below the international best practise of ten days.
Regina told the conference that she was subject to sleep deprivation, emotional, psychological and financial abuse.
She says extra time is needed when dealing with the likes of Gardaí, doctors, solicitors, schools and courts.
"The only reason I am standing here before you today is because my union listened and believed me, when I was able to contact them from the middle of a soccer pitch to tell my story.
"The feeling of being believed, at last, has no words.
"Look to your left. Look to your right. That person next to you today - no one knows the circumstances they have gone through to be present here today."
If you have been impacted by any of the issues raised in this report, the number for Cuanlee refuge is (021) 427 76 98
