Victims of domestic abuse working for a Scottish council will now have the right to take up to 10 days of paid “safe leave” to give them time to access help and support without sacrificing pay or annual leave.

Inspired by recent legislation enacted in New Zealand, South Ayrshire council approved the groundbreaking policy on Tuesday. It is believed to be the first local authority in Europe to adopt the safe leave provision.

Peter Henderson, an SNP councillor, said he hoped other local authorities would follow South Ayrshire’s lead.

“Across South Ayrshire, we’re committed to supporting the most vulnerable people in our communities and working with our partners to raise awareness of domestic abuse and violence,” he said. “As part of these efforts, we’re also leading the way in doing what we can to support our employees who experience such trauma.

“Giving abused employees access to up to 10 days’ safe leave, where they can take the time off they need to access help and support without the worry of it affecting their finances or using up their annual leave, will make a real and lasting difference that could help change lives forever.”

Hazel Bingham, the manager of South Ayrshire Women’s Aid, told the Guardian she hoped other local authorities and employers would adopt the policy.

Bingham, whose organisation provided support to 460 women over the past year, said: “This is a massive step forward that South Ayrshire council has taken. It’s so important that women can have this paid leave so that they are able to deal with some of the issues facing them. For example, they may have to leave their house immediately, or get to doctors’ or lawyers’ appointments. To have to right to paid leave, meaning that it is not causing any economic difficulties, is common sense.”

She added: “It’s very important that this provision is specifically for domestic abuse. It needs to be specific because of the problems that leaving a situation of domestic abuse brings to women.”

The new policy sets out that abuse can also encompass controlling and coercive behaviour, and states that employees may take time off in order to, for example, attend legal proceedings, seek safe housing or visit legal advisers or support agencies. The safe leave can be taken as a block of up to 10 days or as intermittent periods of absence, based on needs.

• In the UK, the domestic violence helpline is 0808 2000 247. Scotland’s domestic abuse and forced marriage helpline number is 0800 027 1234. In Australia, the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732. In the US, the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org