Advocating in the Workplace
44% of US adults say they have experienced the effects of intimate partner abuse at work.
Intimate partner abuse affects every part of a survivorβs life, including at work.Β Abusers often sabotage a survivorβs work-life as a control tactic.Β
As an employer, what can youΒ do toΒ support survivors?Β Β
If an employeeΒ startsΒ suddenly missing days of work, or comingΒ inΒ late, not being able to concentrate, or showsΒ signs of physical abuse β how are you going to respond?Β Do you have workplace policies and procedures in place?Β Β
If not, visit Workplaces Respond for a model workplace policy and other resources to get a plan in place.
Legal ObligationsΒ
Revisions to KRS 209A effective July 2017 require health, school, faith, law, social, and other professionals to provide resources and referrals for suspected victims of domestic violence in Kentucky.Β
If you have professional interaction with someone you believe to be a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, or abuse, you must give the person educational materials related to the abuse. This information must include how the victim may access domestic violence programs and protective orders.Β
Click here for resources and here to schedule a training at your workplace.Β
As a coworker, what can you do toΒ advocate forΒ survivors?Β
See if your workplace has a policy on intimate partner abuse. If they donβt, share this statistic –Β 44% of US adults say they have experienced the effects of intimate partner abuse at work.
Itβs important to have a policy in place for survivors.Β Share this resource with yourΒ company. You can search for resources as a coworker, employer, and advocate.Β
Safe SpaceΒ
As employers and coworkers, we need to be a safe place for survivors to reach for help. If you have a conversation with someone you suspect is being abused – Β
- Communicate your concerns for the employeeβs safety. Itβs important to ask what changes could be made to makeΒ themΒ feel safer.Β
- Tell the employee that you believeΒ them. Listening, listening, listening, is really important.Β
- Refer the employee to a local domestic violence support agency with trained staff. You can callΒ ourΒ crisis hotline, too, to ask for help with supporting an employee.Β 800.544.2022Β
- Be clear that your role is to try to help and not to judge. Donβt belittle or criticize the reasons aΒ survivorΒ stays or returns to the abuser.Β