Domestic violence doesn't stay at home when victims and perpetrators go to work. Your business can play a key role in helping to end violence against women in the workplace.
Nearly one-third of American women report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives. Domestic violence doesn't stay at home when victims and perpetrators go to work. Your business can play a key role in helping to end violence against women in the workplace. Help educate your employees about domestic violence and how we can all be part of the solution.
Domestic violence has a significant impact on the workplace in the form of safety risks, increased health costs, and decreased productivity.
IT IS OUR BUSINESS: Facts on Domestic Violence in the Workplace
- A study of domestic violence survivors found that 74% of employed battered women were harassed by their partner while they were at work. Family Violence Prevention Fund, The workplace Guide for Employers, Unions and Advocates, l998
- Homicide is the leading cause of death for women in the workplace. Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2000
- 71% of human resources and security personnel surveyed have had an incident of domestic violence occur on company property. Isaac, Nancy E., Sc. D., "Corporate Sector Response to Domestic Violence," Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University School of Public Health, 1997
- Domestic violence caused 56% of battered women to be late for work at least five times a month, 28% to leave early at least five days a month, and 54% to miss at least three full days of work a month. Women's Work Program, Liz Claiborne, Inc., Survey l994.
- The annual cost of lost productivity due to domestic violence is estimated as $727.8 million, with over 7.9 million paid workdays lost each year. Costs of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in the United States. 2003. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Health-related costs caused by physical assault, stalking, and homicide by intimate partners exceed $5.8 billion each year. Of this total, nearly $4.1 billion are for direct medical and mental health care services. Costs of Intimate Partner violence Against Women in the US, 2003, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- More than 1 million women are stalked each year in the U.S., and over a quarter of them report missing work as a result of the stalking. Extent, Nature and Consequences of Violence Against Women: Findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey. National Institute of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2000.
Domestic Violence and the Workplace Resources
Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence http://www.caepv.org/best_prac
Family Violence Prevention Fund http://www.fvpf.org/programs/display
American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence. http://www.abanet.org/domviol
Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence http://www.caepv.org
Family Violence Prevention Fund http://www.fvpf.org/programs/workplace
Legal Momentum (formerly NOW) http://www.legalmomentum.org/issues/vio
National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence http://www.ncdsv.org
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence http://www.ncadv.org
National Domestic Violence Hotline http://www.ndvh.org
National Network to End Domestic Violence http://www.nnedv.org
U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/vawo
Corporate Citizenship Initiative, Metropolitan State University, minnesotacci.metrostate.edu
Other Resources
"A Guide for Employers: Domestic Violence in the Workplace" published by the American Bar Association, Commission on Domestic Violence This publication can be purchased through the ABA Service Center: 1-800-285-2221 or online at http://www.ababooks.org
"The Impact of Violence in the Lives of Working Women: Creating Solutions, Creating Change" Published by Legal Momentum http://www.legalmomentum.org/pub/index.shtml
"Workplace Domestic Violence Toolkit" Published by the Family Violence Prevention Fund http://www.endabuse.org This toolkit contains resources for employers, including safety guidelines, corporate best practices, and a model policy.
Model Programs and Policies Corporate Citizenship Initiative http://www.endabuse.org Sponsored by FVPF, this program establishes coalitions in states to develop easily-accessible educational materials and will help employers develop sound policies.
Maine Employers against Domestic Violence (MEADV) http://www.mcedv.org/business Governor Angus King, the Maine Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and business leaders have spearheaded the MEADV initiative to provide employers with the resources to implement sound policies that adequately address domestic violence in the workplace.
Domestic Violence Model Workplace Policy Initiative New York Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence http://www.opdv.state.ny.us/workplace. In 2000, New York state launched an aggressive initiative to address the impact of domestic violence on its workforce. This website includes model policies for public agencies, as well as private businesses.