Transcript
Nine of the biggest employers in Solomon Islands took part in the survey which covered over 1200 people, more than half of whom were women.
It found the companies were losing almost 12 working days per employee per year because of domestic and sexual violence and a further 6 days dealing with the issue in an ad hoc manner.
The reports lead author Shabnam Hameed says violence affects employees wellbeing.
"Which means they are not concentrating at work, if they can make it to
work. It affects their safety at work and for many employees it means they are likely to lose their job unless there is a work place response."
On the flipside Ms Hameed says companies are also suffering.
"It means that there are high levels of lateness, absenteeism, loss of productivity and staff turnover and so by putting in a workplace response
to domestic and sexual violence it helps both parties."
The chief executive of Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry Atenasi Ata says private sector participation in the survey, as part of a wider approach to gender equality, is a breakthrough for Solomon Islands.
"Businesses at the end of the day it's about [their] bottom line and the fact that participating companies see this long term goal here and they are willing to put their hands up and dedicate resources to it is a big win."
Another major finding of the survey is that the way Solomon Islanders view the issue is changing.
"When we first came here to do scoping studies it was very difficult to discuss this topic people were very nervous about it. Now we have a whole lot of people happy to speak about it and then the second part is they are committing resources to it. They are making a statement to say this is not acceptable and actually supporting people in that process."
But speaking at the report's launch the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs, Ethel Sigimanu, said real action to end domestic and sexual violence is still lacking in Solomon Islands.
"As we speak the court statistics is pathetic. Very few cases end up in court. That tells us that violence and sexual violence still has a long way to go in terms of it being addressed head on in Solomon Islands."
According to the report one third of participants had experienced violence in the 12 months prior to the survey and half had experienced violence in their life.
One in five participants said they are currently working in the same place as the person who was or is abusive.
