In Vermont, our most
frequent type of interpersonal violence, particularly homicide, is domestic
violence. Nationally estimates for
reporting of domestic violence range between 15-25% meaning upwards of 75% of
domestic violence victims and survivors don’t report incidents of violence to
the police. According to the National
Coalition Against Domestic Violence, domestic violence is one of the most
chronically underreported crimes. Only 25% of all physical assaults, 20% of all
rapes, and 50% of all stalking perpetrated against females by their partners
are reported to the police. (Mic.com,
July 2, 2012) But that doesn’t mean the
violence stays in the house. It can boil
over at any time and as we saw in Essex in 2006 when a man went on a shooting
rampage at three different locations including an elementary school because of
a domestic dispute. Domestic violence is
a risk factor for any workplace, regardless of the state or city. “According to one study, five
percent of workplace homicides (that is, about one-third of homicides not
associated with a robbery or other “stranger” crime) fall into this category.*”
–Workplace Violence, Issues in Response 2002: *University of Iowa Injury
Prevention Research Center. Workplace Violence: A Report to the Nation. (Iowa
City, Iowa: February 2001) p. 12.
The FBI defines the fourth type of workplace violence as:
Violence committed in the workplace by someone who doesn’t work there, but has
a personal relationship with an employee—an abusive spouse or domestic partner. Domestic violence coming into the workplace
presents specific hazards that can change the way in which the damage
unfolds. Most often with domestic
violence situations the abuser or attacker will try to locate the victim or
target of his or her abuse and harm him or her first, and then potentially harm
others, him or herself or take some other action. This is not an absolute, but a general
trend. Some attackers, such as the Essex
VT shooter in 2006, harm others in the area if their intended target cannot be
found.
Domestic violence is a pattern
of behavior in which one intimate partner uses physical violence, coercion,
threats, intimidation, isolation and emotional, sexual or economic abuse to
control the other partner in a relationship.* Stalking or other harassing behavior
is often an integral part of domestic violence. * American Bar Association
Commission on Domestic Violence; A Guide for Employees:
Domestic Violence in the Workplace (Washington,
D.C.: 1999) p. 11. – Workplace Violence, 2002.
The nature of this cycle, getting or maintaining power and control
through physical violence leads directly to behaviors that create risk in the
workplace. As we identified the vast
majority of domestic violence is not reported to police, which makes early
seeing warning signs in the workplace both harder and more critical. It is also critical to have a plan to support
employees who are granted relief from abuse orders from the court. This process needs to be thought out ahead of
time.
Workplace signs that someone is in an
abusive relationship may include decreased productivity, increased mistakes,
frequent absences, frequently being late or leaving early for family or
childcare issues, withdrawing, and distraction.
Injuries and attempts to hide or explain injuries may indicate violence
or that the level of violence is increasing.
However, most domestic abuse situations start with control and emotional
abuse before becoming physical, so don’t rely on visible injuries as an
indicator.
There is an increased risk of violence
when a survivor takes action to protect him or herself through actions such as
moving out, filing for separation or divorce or a relief from abuse order. It is important that an employee be able to
report concerns of domestic violence to the company to protect that employee,
other employees and customers, and the company if the abuser retaliates. Companies should have a written statement or
program for handling relief from abuse or other family court documents and
train all employees ahead of time.
Because domestic violence is a cycle, survivors may get court orders or
move out, and then those orders get vacated or dropped or the couple tries to
reconcile. This can be a complex and
sensitive issue for a workplace to deal with and should be thought out ahead of
time.
When a person decides to harm or kill their
domestic partner in the workplace, their intent will likely change the flow of
the violence from the other types we have talked about. An abusive partner will likely seek out his
or her partner and focus the violence there, or on getting to the intended
victim. After this has been accomplished
or if the abuser is not able to accomplish this, the violence may be focused on
another target such as a friend, confidant or suspected relationship
rival. The perpetrator may also commit random
violence or suicide.
Early warning systems for protection of
domestic abuse survivor in a workplace should include a culture of reporting,
procedures for watching for the abusive partner (which may include telling some
employees about the situation) establishing and practicing lock down drills,
ensuring communications to law enforcement and practicing the principles of
Avoid, Deny, Defend.
Inside your workplace take some time to
assess exits and avenues of escape to avoid the shooter including actually
opening fire exit doors or going out through back areas so you are familiar
with them if needed. If avoiding is not
possible think ahead of time of how you would deny the abuser entrance or
access to you or your co-workers. Look
at how doors can be locked, which direction they open and if they can be
secured either by barricades or being tied shut. Think about tying the door closers so the
door can’t be opened. Also take into
consideration glass windows or doors that won’t offer physical protection. Remember that cover is a physical object that
provides protection from force, such as a wooden door or table. Concealment such as a window with the blinds
drawn will make it harder for the shooter to see a target, but will not
actually stop a bullet.
If the shooter gets into your space and
you need to defend yourself, defend yourself with any means possible. Use an improvised weapon, such as spraying
the attacker with a fire extinguisher or throwing a lap top computer, and fight
for control of the gun or weapon. Hit
sensitive areas such as the eyes, neck or groin and try to keep the muzzle of
the gun pointed away from you. A group
of unarmed people can go in a group and overwhelm the attacked by sheer
weight. The odds of survival in a group
of people fighting are better than a group that offers no resistance to an
armed attacker.
Violence is a scary part of our
society, but by learning about it, planning and practicing we can reduce the
risks and increase our chances of survival.
Personal security is an individual responsibility. Plan ahead.
Stay safe.
