PRESENTED TO BLACK SWAMP SAFETY COUNCIL BY SARAH’S HOUSE OF WILLIAMS COUNTY MARCH 16, 2010 Overview of Domestic Violence

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REFERS TO A PATTERN OF VIOLENT AND / OR COERCIVE BEHAVIOR EXERCISED BY ONE ADULT OVER ANOTHER IN AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP. Definition of Domestic Violence

Myths Batterers use violence because they get so angry that they are out of control. Drugs and alcohol use cause the violence. Stress and unemployment cause the violence. The victim can always leave.

ABUSE IS PATTERN OF HURTFUL BEHAVIOR THAT ONE PARTNER IN AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP USES TO CONTROL THE OTHER. Definition of Abuse

Physical Abuse Throwing household items Grabbing, pushing, shoving, shaking Bruising Deprivation (food, sleep, medical needs)

Verbal Abuse Jokes, insults Name calling Threats against the marriage Threats against or to take the children

Emotional Abuse Put downs of your roles or abilities Private humiliation Questions your sense of reality Withholding approval as punishment

Financial / Economic Abuse Controls major decisions Controls money / finances Makes you economically dependent Denies your ability to work / gets you fired

Social Abuse Tracks you or monitors your activities and / or whereabouts Eliminates support system Threatens to hurt your extended family / friends

Sexual Abuse Ignoring sexual needs Jealousy, assumes you will be with others sexually Demanding sex with threats Unwanted / forced touching

THERE IS NO ONE TYPE OF PERSON WHO IS A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAPPENS TO PEOPLE FROM ALL DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS. CHILDREN ARE IMPACTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, EITHER BY WITNESSING THE ABUSE OR BY BEING ABUSED THEMSELVES. Who are the Victims?

THERE IS NO TYPICAL ABUSER. ABUSERS COME FROM MANY DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND HAVE DIFFERENT LIFE EXPERIENCES, BUT THE TACTICS THEY USE ARE VERY SIMILAR. Who are the Abusers?

Tactics Used By Batterers Quick Involvement Isolation Blames others for problems and feelings Unrealistic expectations

Barriers to Leaving an Abusive Relationship LACK OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES SOCIAL STIGMA RELIGIOUS BELIEFS WANTING TO KEEP THE FAMILIY TOGETHER

Impact on Children A child’s exposure to the father abusing the mother is the strongest risk factor for transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next. In a national study of more than 6,000 American families, 50% of the men who frequently assaulted their wives also frequently abused their children. Children exposed to partner violence condoned it to resolve conflicts more readily than did control groups.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DOESN’T JUST HAPPEN AT HOME. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IMPACTS THE LIVES OF MILLIONS OF WORKING WOMEN AND MEN EVERY DAY Domestic Violence in the Workplace

Incidence of Domestic Violence 1 in 3 women report being abused by their husbands or boyfriends at some time in their lives 46%of the U.S. workforce is comprised of women Every day in the United States, more than three women are killed by their husbands or boyfriends. Homicide was the second leading cause of death on the job for women in 2003, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries

Financial Costs Due to Violence in the Workplace Loss of nearly 8.0 million days of paid work per year (equivalent of more than 32,000 full-time jobs) Loss of productivity – estimated at $64.4 billion per year $5.6 billion in medical care

Impact of Stalking in the Workplace Approximately 130,000 victims reported that they were fired of asked to leave their job because of stalking. One in eight employed stalking victims lost time from work because of fear for their safety or because they needed to get a restraining order or testify in court.

Warning Signs that an Employee may be a Victim Unexplained injuries or injuries that do not correlate with the explanation given Dress that is inappropriate Uncharacteristic absenteeism or tardiness Disruptive personal visits to the workplace by present or former partner

How Employers Can Help Develop a Domestic Violence Workplace Policy Provide informational pamphlets in private places Recognize the difficulties that prevent victims from leaving a relationship. Recognize that the most dangerous time for a victim is when they attempt to leave an abusive situation.

Ending Abuse THE FIRST AND MOST DIFFICULT STEP IS “BREAKING THE SILENCE” YOU MAY BE THE FIRST PERSON TO “HEAR THE SILENCE BROKEN”