Laing+Simmons have equipped their property managers to deal with domestic violence situations through a training session facilitated by the KYUP! Project.
The training aimed to assist them with strategies and techniques to handle domestic violence situations and the potential dangers for their tenants and themselves.
The KYUP! Project, founded by Mel Thomas, a black-belt and two-time Hapkido Woman of the Year, is an evidence-based initiative focused on confronting the high rates of violence against women and children.
It promotes self-worth and basic self-defence principles to empower Australians to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
Ms Thomas, who will also be a spotlight guest at Elite Retreat in August, said it was important for property managers to know what to do when facing a tough situation.
“All Australians deserve to live free from violence and it’s heartening to work closely with Laing+Simmons, an organisation that is moving beyond awareness and good intentions into strong-hearted action to break the silence on domestic and family violence and to empower its team to know what to do when a situation doesn’t feel right,” Ms Thomas said.
Laing+Simmons Head of Property Management Michael Anania said the training was critical.
“Domestic violence is one of the major issues affecting Australian communities and the nature of property management means our people have a higher-than-average chance of encountering instances of domestic violence involving their customers in the course of their work,” Mr Anania said.
“We need to make sure they are prepared with proven best practice skills and strategies to best support known, suspected or potential victims.
“KYUP! Project is an industry leader in this space and to have the opportunity to hear from Mel was invaluable and inspiring.”
KYUP! Project training also included a self-defence element and was an opportunity to share insights, including strategies for quickly escaping unsafe situations.
There was an emphasis on the importance of trusting one’s intuition in potential domestic violence situations involving tenants, and supporting them within defined parameters, Mr Anania said.
“We’re committed to ensuring our people have the best possible training available to them, so they continually build on their skills and knowledge base,” he said.
“The session with Mel and KYUP! Is the latest example, but the key is to maintain forward momentum.
“For instance, we’ve also established a framework for our offices to have a reliable emergency plan and we’ve encouraged our people to download the Daniel Morcombe Foundation ‘Help Me’ App to discreetly alert the office of potential hostility or danger during open houses or property inspections.
“Taking the scope of training support further, we’re also preparing bespoke formal sessions on the proper protocols for our property managers to observe when handling tenant accidents, injuries and fatalities, covering legal and ethical considerations, to ensure they are equally equipped to deal with the many different challenges that come with the territory.”
