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Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence

Partner Violence and the Workplace

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Objectives

• Recognize partner violence as an issue

affecting your workplace

• Understand some of the dynamics

involved in partner violence

• Learn how to recognize the warning signs

that indicate a co-worker might be in an

abusive relationship and what you can do

to help

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Partner Violence Basics

• Partner violence is abusive behavior

between two people in an intimate

relationship

• Partner violence is an issue of CONTROL

• The highest risk factor for being involved

with partner violence as an adult is

exposure to violence between parents in

your family of origin

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Partner Violence Statistics

• Medical expenses from domestic violence

total 3 to 5 billion dollars a year

• Businesses forfeit another $100 million a

year in lost wages, absenteeism, sick leave,

and non-productivity due to partner

violence

• 94% of corporate security directors rank

partner violence as a high security problem

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Partner Violence Statistics(continued)

• 24-30% of abused working women lost their jobs due to their partner violence situation

• 75% of victims are harassed at work by their abuser

• 64% of battered women arrive an hour late for work an average of five times a month

• 37% of women involved in partner violence felt its impact in the workplace reflected in lateness, missed work, difficulty keeping a job, and difficulty advancing in their careers

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Partner Violence Statistics (continued)

• Finally, there is lost productivity due to premature death—

Homicide is the #1 leading cause of death on the job, and 20% of those were murdered

by their intimate partner—AT THE WORKPLACE.

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Why do people get into and stay in abusive relationships?

• Confuse jealousy for love

• Victim feels responsible for the abuse• Fear• Violence is only part of the relationship• Shame• Children

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Why Do Batterers Batter?

• Saw it in their family of origin

• Experienced abuse as a child

• A need for control

• BECAUSE THEY CAN

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Warnings SignsDoes Your Co-worker’s Partner:

• Check up on them frequently?• Insult them publicly and privately?• Destroy belongings or hurt pets?• Call, visit, or fax excessively? Do these

interruptions seem to cause distress to your co-worker?

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Warnings SignsDoes Your Co-worker:

Have excessive absences or tardiness?• Seem unable to concentrate or appear

distracted, depressed or anxious?• Have frequent unexplained bruises or

injuries?• Frequently break appointments with friends

or family?• Seem to “edit” what they say about their

partner, or suddenly stop talking about their partner?

• Wear concealing clothing even in warm weather?

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What should you do when dealing with possible victims?

• Encourage them to talk in a safe, private place

• Listen and believe but don’t judge• Express concern for their safety• Help them understand it is not their fault• Let them know help is available at your

company• Offer your continued support - leaving

takes time• Express your admiration for their courage• Respect their privacy

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What should you do when dealing with possible abusers?

• Abusers must want to change and realize they need help—the abuse won’t just “go away” on its own

• Encourage an abuser to get professional help through the EAP, the Yellow Pages, or by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE

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• If you need help, you can get it here at your company or by calling 1-800-799-SAFE

• If you are concerned for someone you know, share your concerns with them

Ending partner violence iseverybody’s business!

Remember