Across Australia, leading employers are realising that creating safer, more caring workplaces means confronting some of the hardest issues facing their people. Lion is one of them – taking bold, practical steps to address domestic and family abuse as a workplace issue, and setting a new benchmark for what employer-led action can look like. 

 

In conversation with Sarah Abbott, Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Heather Robertson, Chair of Lion’s Domestic Abuse Support Network, we explore how the company is creating safe spaces for employees to seek help, share lived experience, and support one another through domestic and family abuse. 

 

The launch of Lion’s Domestic Abuse Support Network marks a new chapter in the organisation’s long-standing commitment to employee wellbeing. Spearheaded by Sarah Abbott and Heather Robertson, the initiative is redefining what it means for employers to truly care for their people. 

 

“Every organisation plays a role in supporting team members to be safe and respected,” says Sarah. “We would be crazy to think our custodianship of our people starts at nine and ends at five.” 

 

Lion has been leading the way in supporting employees experiencing domestic and family abuse since 2022, with initiatives such as emergency accommodation, loan phones and extensive first responder training. But as Sarah explains, there was still more to do. Training could only go so far – what employees needed most was connection. 

 

So she put out a simple call across Lion’s internal network, inviting people with lived experience of domestic abuse to share their stories, and the response was overwhelming. 

 

“I honestly thought no one would respond,” Sarah admits. “But I was wrong. A number of people came forward, willing to share their experiences and shape how Lion supports others.” 

 

From those early conversations, the Domestic Abuse Support Network was born.  It’s a confidential, peer-led space where survivors and supporters come together to share, learn and guide one another. 

 

“The uniqueness of this network comes from the fact that we’ve all been through it,” explains Heather. “It’s a closed, safe group for survivors but it’s also inclusive of leaders, colleagues, and even family members who are supporting someone affected.” 

 

The network provides a flexible, organic model of support. Members meet to connect, share experiences, and access practical resources via Lion’s internal SharePoint site. The approach is deliberately non-prescriptive, evolving with the needs of its members. 

 

“We’ve got trained first responders, practical tools, and people with all kinds of skills contributing to the network. But more than that, it’s a space where people feel less alone,” Heather says. 

 

The group has since grown to include allies across the business – from leaders and colleagues to family members supporting those affected. Its first launch event drew more than 200 participants, including men who joined as allies, former police officers and family members of survivors. The response, Heather recalls, was humbling. People thanked Lion for shining a light on an issue that so often remains hidden. 

 

“My goal is to normalise these conversations,” says Sarah. “I never want someone sitting at their desk, suffering in silence. When people speak up, we need to make sure they’re heard in the right way.” 

 

Leadership backing for the network was immediate. As Sarah puts it, it was “a no-brainer.” The business case was clear: domestic abuse affects work performance, safety and wellbeing, and the right support can change lives. 

 

With that understanding, Lion took the bold step of extending its care to include not only survivors, but also employees who may be perpetrators. The company provides time and resources for behavioural change programs, counselling and legal processes, acknowledging that accountability and support must go hand in hand.   

 

“I’d love all workplaces to be inclusive – places where people can thrive, no matter what they’re facing. And that includes supporting perpetrators to change. Prevention starts there,” says Heather. 

 

Lion is demonstrating what true leadership looks like – elevating support beyond policy, and compassion into action. The Domestic Abuse Support Network stands as a reminder that when people feel safe to speak, healing and change can begin.  

 

“Every workplace has a role to play in building a safer, more caring world,” says Sarah, “We’re proud to be part of that change.” 

 

These insights were shared as part of a conversation between Emma Walsh, CEO, Parents at Work; Sarah Abbot, Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Lion; and Heather Robertson, Chair of Lion’s Domestic Abuse Network.

 

View the full interview here: