Ms Marie Mulholland:

I had a client recently who had to give up her job because she just could not keep doing it. She could not keep the front up either. Many of the women that we see are in low-paid and part-time employment. They do not have access to a lot of paid leave anyway. To have something such as that set out in the Bill, which would give them additional paid leave, would be extremely important. The other point to note is that after the immediacy of the need to escape and get somewhere safe, there is a lengthy period of continuing court appearances. There may be appearances concerned with breaches of the order and access court appearances. That can go on. We run a therapy programme for children impacted by domestic violence. Who is going to take the child to the appointment except mum? That appointment will be when there is availability. There are constant and ongoing appointments and other considerations. After a while, it just becomes too difficult for women to hang on to their jobs. I see it all the time. A client has recently given up the ghost on her job. That is why I strongly endorse this Bill. It is a real opportunity for women to keep that level of independence and economic security.