Work and study after abuse

Every fact on this page comes from GOV.UK, nidirect, Acas, the regulators and the student finance bodies. We last checked it on 6 October 2026. Each helpline shows the date we last checked it. This is general information, not legal advice.

How it can affect work or study

You might find it hard to concentrate, sleep or be around certain people or places. You might need time off for appointments, or for court if you report what happened. These are common, and they don’t mean you’re failing.

Deciding whether to tell anyone

It’s your choice whether to tell your employer, college or university, and how much to say. You can say only what they need to know, for example that you’re dealing with a personal matter that affects your health. You could ask whether what you tell them will be kept private, and who else would be told.

Support at work

• Your manager or HR team may be able to agree changes, such as different hours, a different desk or working from home for a while.
• Some employers offer free, confidential counselling.
• If you’re in danger from someone who knows where you work, talk to your employer about keeping you safe there.

Acas, the workplace advice service, says employers have a duty of care to their staff and should support someone experiencing domestic abuse, for example by being flexible about working hours or giving time off for support appointments.

Your rights at work

• Flexible working: in England, Wales and Scotland, you can ask for flexible working from your first day in a job, and make 2 requests in any 12 months. In Northern Ireland, you need to have worked for your employer for 26 weeks first, and you can make one request in 12 months.
• Health conditions and disability: a mental or physical health condition can count as a disability if it has a substantial and long-term effect on your day-to-day activities. Long-term usually means it has lasted, or is likely to last, at least 12 months. Your employer must then make reasonable adjustments. This comes from the Equality Act 2010 in England, Wales and Scotland, and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in Northern Ireland.
• Leave for domestic abuse: England, Wales and Scotland have no specific legal right to leave for victims of domestic abuse. Northern Ireland has passed a law giving at least 10 days’ paid “safe leave” a year, but it is not in force yet.
• Going to court as a witness: your employer doesn’t have to pay you for this time off. In England and Wales, prosecution witnesses can claim for lost earnings. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own processes.

Support at college or university

• Student support or wellbeing services can help, and some offer counselling.
• If abuse has affected your work, you may be able to ask for extra time, or for your circumstances to be taken into account. Most universities and colleges in England and Wales have a formal process for this, often called “mitigating circumstances” or “extenuating circumstances”.
• You can ask what evidence they need, and how what you tell them will be kept private.
• In England, universities and colleges registered with the Office for Students must have clear policies on harassment and sexual misconduct, explain how students can report it, and give appropriate support, which can include counselling and academic support.
• If a mental health condition affects your studies, you may be able to get Disabled Students’ Allowance. You apply through Student Finance England, Student Finance Wales, the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) or Student Finance NI.

If it’s affecting your income

If you can’t work, or can only work less, read money, benefits and housing.

Someone to talk to

You can also find support in our Support Directory.

Where this information comes from

• Acas: domestic abuse and work
• GOV.UK: flexible working
• nidirect: flexible working
• GOV.UK: definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010
• GOV.UK: reasonable adjustments for disabled workers
• nidirect: disability discrimination and employment rights
• Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022
• GOV.UK: expenses for going to court
• OIA: requests for additional consideration
• Office for Students: condition E6, harassment and sexual misconduct
• GOV.UK: Disabled Students’ Allowance
• SAAS: Disabled Students’ Allowance
• Student Finance Wales: Disabled Students’ Allowance guide
• nidirect: financial help for disabled students

Checked on 6 October 2026. Employment and education rules can change, so always check the official pages before you act.