Supporting Victims While Supporting Employment: A Delicate Balance

Recent justice reforms have rightly focused on improving support for victims of crime. Measures like “restriction zones” and educating courts so that they can recognise domestic abuse is a crucial step toward creating a legal system that truly understands and addresses trauma (although there is still some work to do). They aim to protect survivors, increase accountability, and ensure that rehabilitation doesn’t come at the cost of safety.

But these reforms also raise difficult questions for employment, especially for people leaving prison who have been convicted of domestic abuse.

Employers may be wary, individuals may face restrictions on movement or location that limit job access, the stigma attached to certain offences can be profound, and the risk of exclusion is real. Yet without employment, rehabilitation falters. Without opportunity, reoffending rises.

So how do we balance justice, safety, and second chances?

It starts with recognising that rehabilitation and victim support are not opposing forces. They can, and must, coexist. That means:

• Developing employment pathways that respect restriction zones and supervision requirements

• Offering trauma-informed training for employers and colleagues

• Creating roles that allow for remote or flexible work, reducing risk while increasing opportunity

  
  

We must also acknowledge the emotional complexity. Supporting someone with a history of abuse doesn’t mean ignoring the harm caused; it means believing in change, while safeguarding those affected.

Justice isn’t just about punishment; it’s about restoration. Employment can be a powerful part of that process if we’re willing to do the hard work of designing it right.

Let’s create a system where victims are protected, and prison leavers are supported. Where safety and opportunity walk hand in hand.