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According to the CDC, intimate partner violence victims lose a total of nearly 8.0 million days of paid work-the equivalent of more than 32,000 full-time jobs-and nearly 5.6 million days of household productivity as a result of the violence. (Costs of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in the United States, US Centers for Disease Control. Report released April 28, 2003)

In addition to having a devastating impact on victims and their families, domestic violence is costly to communities and businesses. Domestic violence adversely affects critical workplace issues including safety and security, employee health care costs, job performance and productivity.

• It is estimated that 25% of workplace problems such as absenteeism, lower productivity, turnover and excessive use of medical benefits are due to family violence.
  (Employee Assistance Providers/MN)



• 56% of battered women arrive an hour late for work 5 times a month.
  (Report on Costs of Domestic Violence, Victim Services of New York, 1987)



• 78% of human resources professionals consider partner violence a workplace issue.
  (National Safe Workplace Institute survey, as cited in "Talking Frankly About Domestic Violence," Personnel Journal, April, 1995, page 64. NOTE: The National Safe Workplace Institute is now called the National Institute for School and Workplace Safety.)



• 94% of corporate security directors rank partner violence as a high security problem.
  (National Safe Workplace Institute survey, as cited in "Talking Frankly About Domestic Violence," Personnel Journal, April, 1995, page 64. NOTE: The National Safe Workplace Institute is now called the National Institute for School and Workplace Safety.)

In October 2000, the NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence joined with Governor Jeanne Shaheen and business leaders from around the state to raise awareness about domestic violence as a workplace issue through the National Corporate Citizenship Initiative. Since that time, the Coalition has collaborated with state government to provide education and outreach to thousands of state employees and their supervisors. The successful partnership has led the Coalition to enhance its outreach efforts to private employers by hiring a coordinator for the NH Workplace Initiative on Domestic Violence. The Initiative works to strengthen links between employers, advocates and other community leaders with the goal of creating new pathways of support for victims of domestic violence and their families.

Governor John Lynch joined the Governor’s Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence Committee on Domestic Violence in the Workplace to host a kick-off meeting for business and community leaders from around the state to introduce the Domestic Violence in the Workplace Project for private sector businesses.

SAFETY PLANNING

No one deserves to be abused. If this is happening to you, it is not your fault and you are not alone. You have choices and there are people who can help and support you.

It may be helpful to create a safety plan, both for home and for work. Here are some suggestions:

AT WORK:

• Talk with someone at the workplace whom you trust



• Explore the option of obtaining a protective order. Your local crisis center can assist you with that process



• For security measures, consider providing your employer with a picture of the perpetrator and a copy of your protective order, if you have one.



• Work with your employer to address telephone, fax, and email or mail harassment.



• Consider removing your name and number from automated phone directories.



• Review the safety of your parking arrangements. Consider an escort to your car and park near the building entrance if possible. Park your car so the front is facing out. Consider changing your license plates from a vanity plate if you have one. Review the safety of your childcare arrangements. Give a picture of the perpetrator and a copy of your protective order to the childcare provider.

AT HOME:

• Tell someone you trust what is happening to you.
  
  
• If you seek medical care because your partner hurts you, tell the doctor what happened and request that the injuries and the explanation be noted in your medical file. Keep any photos of bruises or injuries or ripped clothing. All of this may be helpful if you decide to take legal action later on.



• If you are thinking of leaving, plan now. Hide a spare set of keys, money and extra clothes in case of emergency. Collect important papers for both you and your children, such as birth certificates and social security numbers. Have copies of all the children’s immunization records in case you need to register the children in a new school.



• Also collect evidence of your partner’s assets (such as paycheck stubs) if you plan to seek child support.
  
  
• Call your local domestic violence crisis center for free, confidential assistance and support.

HOW CO-WORKERS CAN HELP

Be alert to possible signs of domestic violence in co-workers’ changes in behavior and work performance, lack of concentration, increased or unexplained absences, placing or receiving harassing phone calls, bruises or injuries that are unexplained or come with questionable explanations.

• If a co-worker confides in you that s/he is being abused, believe her/him.
  
  
• Listen without judging. Victims of abuse often feel responsible, ashamed and afraid.
  
  
• Recognize the difficulties that prevent victims from leaving an abusive relationship: financial dependency, lack of housing, employment, daycare and transportation options, family pressures and fear.
  
  
• Recognize that the most dangerous time for a victim is when s/he attempts to leave an abusive situation, as this is when the violence often increases and may become deadly.
  
  
• Refer victims to a local domestic violence crisis center for free, confidential support and resources.

To access your local crisis center, call the New Hampshire Domestic Violence Hotline at: 1-866-644-3574

Additional Statistics:

• Approximately 900 State of New Hampshire employees, predominantly supervisors, have received training on domestic violence since November 2000.



• Of the 30% of workplaces in the US that have some sort of formal workplace violence policy, only 44% have a policy to address domestic violence in the workplace.



• Only 4 percent of all establishments train employees on domestic violence and its impact on the workplace.
  (Source: The Survey of Workplace Violence Prevention, Bureau of Labor Statistics, October 2006)

For information about this initiative, contact Elizabeth Gruber at (603) 224-8893 x 309.

The NHCADSV and its 14 member programs do not discriminate based on gender, age, health status (including HIV-positive), physical, mental or emotional ability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, socio-economic status, race, national origin, immigration status, or religious or political affiliation.