Domestic Violence: Prevention at Work

Domestic Violence … What Is It? Domestic violence is a pattern of physical, sexual and emotional assault used by an Individual with the willful intent of hurting, dominating, controlling an intimate partner or family member.

Facts – Domestic Violence at Work Domestic violence accounts for 27% of all incidents of violence in the workplace. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor) Husbands and boyfriends commit 13,000 acts of violence against woman in the workplace every year. (Source: U.S. Department of Justice) 56% of victim were late for at least five times per month. (Source: EDK Associates, 1997) 28% of victims had to leave work early at least five times per month. (Source: EDK Associates, 1997) 54% of victims missed at least 3 full days of work per month. (Source: EDK Associates, 1997) 74% of employed battered women reported being harassed while at work by their abusive partners, in person or by telephone. (Source: National Safe Workplace Institute, 1992)

Facts–Economic Impact of Domestic Violence The health care costs of intimate partner rape, physical assault, and stalking exceed $5.8 billion each year, nearly $4.1 billion of which is for direct medical and mental health care services. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Costs of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in the United States. Atlanta, GA, 2003.) Employers lose between $3 and $5 billion every year in absenteeism, lower productivity, higher turnover and health and safety costs associated with battered workers. (Source: 2001 American Institute on Domestic Violence) Businesses lose an additional $100 million in lost wages, sick leave and absenteeism. (Source: 2001 American Institute of Domestic Violence) Over 1,750,000 workdays are lost each year due to domestic violence. (Source: 2001 American Institute of Domestic Violence) Domestic violence in the United States costs an estimated $67 billion annually. (Source: 2001 American Institute on Domestic Violence)

U.S. Executive Survey Results 66% of senior executives agreed that their company’s financial performance would benefit from addressing the issue of domestic violence among its employees. 78% of human resource directors identify domestic violence as a substantial employee problem. 40% of corporate leaders are personally aware of specific employees who are affected by domestic violence. 94% of corporate security directors rank domestic violence as a high security problem at their companies. 49% of senior executives said that domestic violence has a harmful effect on their company’s productivity. 47% admit partner violence negatively impacts employee attendance. (Source: 2001 American Institute on Domestic Violence)

Prevention Works “Workplace involvement improves the chance of success.” -- World Health Organization, 2004 The United States 1994 Violence Against Women Act has resulted in an estimated net benefit of $14.8 billion in averted victims costs. (“The economic dimension of interpersonal violence”, World Health Organization, 2004)

Prevention Goals Ensure the safety of all employees at work Enable individuals who may be victims or perpetrators of domestic violence to contact the EAP Minimize risk factors for domestic violence.

Requirements for Success Strong support of senior leadership to ensure visibility and attention Commitment from internal communications team(s) Participation at all levels of the organization Communication and promotion of prevention through a series of materials, in print and/or online

Strategy Distribute to every employee a memo announcing the “Domestic Violence: Prevention at Work” initiative and emphasizing management support Sponsor prevention activities: on-site seminars, community involvement, policy development Communicate and promote outreach effort through a series of materials and activities

Diverse Communications Ongoing EAP promotions –Newsletters, s, posters, brochures, tip sheets, ect On-site seminars facilitated by employee assistance professionals Web-based resources (Achieve Solutions) –Articles and resources, interactive quizzes, manager’s tools Policy development Community involvement and partnerships

Measurements Absence rates Medical utilization and disability rates Employee satisfaction Employee participation

Expected Results Employee safety Enhanced productivity Reduced health care costs associated with domestic abuse Improved employee perception of employer commitment Increased rate of referral to the EAP