Understanding Intimate Partner Violence in the Workplace

1. “He may not know where she lives, but he does know where she works...”

2. According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice statistics, 85% of all victims of intimate partner violence are women. While intimate partner violence is not exclusively a male against female issue, it is clearly the predominant pattern. • In this training program, the language and graphics used reflect this reality.

3. Overview • Scope • Intimate Partner Violence • Behaviors of Concern • Cycle of Violence • Action Options

4. Intimate Partner Violence Is Pervasive • Epidemic • 1 woman out of 4 will be a victim in her lifetime • Toll on workplace • 3-4 billion dollars per year in lost wages, productivity, and time away from work • Catastrophic event could be an outcome

5. Intimate Partner ViolenceMyth vs. Reality • Myth • Doesn’t effect smart, successful individuals • Not a workplace issue • Reality • Transcends all socioeconomic lines • Spillover effects are often subtle • Ripple effect

6. Intimate Partner ViolenceMyth vs. Reality • Reality • Most insidious effects can be silent—even invisible • Myth • Only blatantly violent or life-threatening scenarios can impact the workplace

7. Intimate Partner Violence Definition A pattern of coercive behavior used by one person in an intimate relationship to gain power and control over another. Includes physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, and financial abuse.

8. Physical Abuse • Not only battering • May include pushing, hitting with a fist, slapping, shoving, kicking, choking, threatening with weapons...

9. Emotional Abuse • Use of words to break a person’s spirit or destroy their self-esteem • Includes degradation, isolation, and control of actions/ behaviors through intimidation or manipulation • Effective strategy to destroy sense of self

10. Behaviors of ConcernRecognizing Abusive Relationships • Isolates from friends and family • Uses the children • Uses economic abuse • Uses emotional abuse • Uses stalking tactics

11. Pattern of harassing behaviors intended to frighten, intimidate, terrorize, or injure another person • Primary motives include power, control, and possession • Strong connection between stalking and intimate partner violence Stalking

12. Behaviors of Concern • Abuser believes he has the right to control his partner • Tells her what to do and expects obedience • May use force to maintain power • Feels partner has no right to challenge him • Feels justified making her comply • Blames abuse on his partner

13. Early Relationship Indicators • Form attachments very quickly • Foundation of power and control may be built through flattery and adulation • Begins isolating victim from friends and family • May cohabitate; learns personal information and begins to control finances

14. Power and Control Wheel

15. Cycle of Violence • Tension-building phase • Abusive incident • Honeymoon phase • Not all abusive relationships follow a recurring pattern or cycle

16. Tension-Building Phase • Abuser believes his ability to control the victim is diminishing • Abuser becomes more temperamental and critical of victim • Victim minimizes problems; may try to placate abuser to prevent abuse • Victim may feel she is walking on eggshells

17. Abusive Incident • Incident of violence or threat occurs • More intense than during tension-building phase • May increase in intensity with each act • Victim traumatized • Abuser blames victim

18. Honeymoon Phase • Abuser is apologetic and loving • Victim has mixed feelings • Abuser is manipulative • Victim feels guilty and responsible • Abuser promises change

19. Danger Zone • When victim terminates the relationship • Breaking the cycle of violence • Victim moving out of home may result in workplace stalking • Abuser control is no longer possible at home

20. Danger Zone • Abuser may apply abusive tactics to the workplace • Harassing phone calls • Threatening to show up at the workplace • Actually shows up at the workplace • Danger zone not just limited to victim

21. Restraining Order / Order of Protection • In US, 3 women per week are killed by their partners • Not uncommon for workplace to be listed as part of an Order of Protection • Workplace may never be informed • Wouldn’t you want to know?

22. Action Options • Recognize (Behaviors of Concern) • Injuries such as bruises, black eyes, broken bones • Inappropriate clothing for the season • Uncharacteristic absenteeism • Change in job performance • Emotional distress • Unusual number of phone calls

23. Action Options • Respond • Show concern; be supportive • Explain that intimate partner violence is a crime • Listen in a non-judgmental way • Provide company and community resources • Contact HR specialist or corporate security

24. Action Options • Refer • Help victim connect with outside agencies • Battered women shelters • National Center for Victims of Crime • National Network to End Domestic Violence • Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence

25. Summary • Scope • Intimate Partner Violence • Behaviors of Concern • Cycle of Violence • Action Options