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Domestic and sexual violence: AXA launches the Safe Spaces training to support victims

November 6, 2025

published at 5:45 PM CET

  • The home is often the most dangerous place for a person who is a victim of domestic violence: according to the French Minister of the Interior in 2024, security services recorded 272,400 victims of violence committed by their partner or ex-partner, with 90% of femicides and domestic homicides occurring at the victim's or perpetrator's home.
  • Domestic and sexual violence can affect anyone, but it disproportionately impacts women; UN Women estimates that one in three women will experience violence in her lifetime globally.
  • Although such violence often originates outside the workplace, the office remains one of the few places where those who experience violence or abuse can feel supported and safe.

Building on its ongoing commitment to combat domestic violence, AXA, a global leader in insurance, is launching the AXA Safe Spaces training, with the support of experts and NGOs, to help employers and employees create safe and supportive workplaces for the men and women who are victims of domestic and sexual violence.

 Safe Spaces includes ready-to-use resources and testimonials, based on the 3R methodology - Recognize, Respond, and Refer - promoted by the World Health Organization and UN Women as a practical and structured approach to addressing the issue of domestic and sexual violence, which can be adapted to different work environments so that individuals can: 

1.       Recognize the signs of violence,

2.       Respond with support and empathy,

3.       Refer victims to the appropriate services.

Free, accessible to all and available internationally in 12 languages, Safe Spaces will be offered to employees by Accor, Engie, L’Oréal, LVMH, Orange, Publicis Group France and AXA.

Karima Silvent

Group Chief Human Resources Officer

AXA's commitment to domestic violence is long-lasting, concrete, and goes beyond our products and services. It is part of our purpose: to act for human progress by protecting what matters. AXA Safe Spaces is more than a training; it is a commitment to provide ongoing support and to offer practical resources so that the workplace can become a trusted shelter for victims. At AXA, we are proud to support those who have the courage to speak up and ask for help worldwide.

Jean-Sébastien Blanc

Human Resources Director, ENGIE Group

At ENGIE, we firmly believe that combating domestic violence is everyone's responsibility. Since 2020, we have been including victim support numbers on our customers' bills to help raise collective awareness. Although domestic violence often takes place in the private sphere, it does not end on the company's doorstep. By joining the Safe Spaces initiative alongside AXA today, we are strengthening our commitment to providing a safe and supportive working environment, as well as training and educating our teams to detect emergency situations, respond appropriately and effectively refer those affected.

Jean-Claude Le Grand

Chief Human Relations Officer L’Oréal

At L'Oréal, we promote fair treatment, access, advancement, and opportunities for all. And protecting our employees is part of our responsibility. Since 2000, our Code of Ethics has set clear commitments supported by several policies such as one dedicated to Employee Human Rights and one to Domestic Violence. Committed to combating gender-based violence and to supporting survivors among our employees, we raise awareness, support victims, and fund local NGOs through the L'Oréal Fund for Women and brands like YSL Beauté. Today, we proudly partner with AXA for their essential 'Safe Spaces' training. We are honored to be among the first allies and to share it with our employees, empowering them to recognize, respond, and have the support they need.

Maud AlvarezPereyre

Group Chief Human Resources Officer, LVMH

At LVMH, we are committed to supporting those who may be facing situations of violence or danger in their homes. Statistically, we know that this particularly affects women. Our talents - 71% of whom are women -  are and will always remain our driving forces, those who make the difference. It is to live up to their engagement that, in 2021, we created the LVMH Heart Fund, a support fund that has already benefited over 10,000 of our employees, to assist them when they are confronted with personal hardships, by providing psychological, social and financial support where necessary. By joining the Safe Spaces initiative, we strengthen our commitment to ensuring that everyone feels safe, heard and supported, including when facing personal challenges. By fostering a culture of care and respect, we help build a safer and more supportive society. Because caring for our people is at the heart of everything we do.

Vincent Lecerf

Human Resources Director, Orange

Domestic and sexual violence do not spare anyone and primarily affect women. Even if they originate outside of work, we have a duty to make the company a safe and protective place. For over ten years, Orange has taken concrete actions: flexible working hours, site relocations if necessary, emergency rehousing, financial assistance, and immediate childcare solutions. Today, we are proud of our partnership with AXA, which allows us to go further and faster in protecting the health and safety of our teams across the Group and supporting every individual affected.

Anne Decouzon

Chief Human Resources Officer, Publicis Groupe France

By joining ‘Safe Spaces,’ Publicis Groupe reinforces its commitment to supporting victims of domestic violence and accelerates our awareness initiatives to encourage as many victims as possible to speak out. This is a critical priority for safeguarding our employees and preventing any professional disruption—a frequent consequence of violent situations.

To learn more or complete your training, visit the dedicated website: AXA Safe Spaces – Against domestic and sexual violence

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