What is Partner Violence?

Partner violence is not just a domestic matter.

Partner Violence is the pattern of abusive, psychological, emotional, financial, and/or physical behavior between two intimate partners in which one partner maintains power and control over their counterpart.

What STANDING FIRM calls “partner violence” is more commonly known as “domestic violence”. We use the term partner violence to remind us of all that partner violence is not just a “domestic” issue, or something that only affects people’s lives at home. Partner violence occurs in dating and cohabitation relationships and even intimate relationships that have ended. Most importantly to employers, when an employee is experiencing partner violence, this problem affects the entire workplace.

When an employee makes the decision to leave their abuser, it is the most dangerous time. The abuser may not know where they are living, but they know where they work.

Methods that PV perpetrators use to control their partners are:

  • Psychological abuse
  • Physical violence
  • Isolation from friends & family
  • Sexual violence
  • Financial control
  • Interference with ability to work

You cannot guess who might be a victim of partner violence: It could be anyone.

Research has shown that partner violence occurs in all economic and cultural segments of the population, regardless of educational level, age, occupational level, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, geographic location, or religion. Some demographic groups, however, have a higher risk including:

The following groups are especially at risk for victimization:

How Employers Can Help

Employers play a vital role in addressing partner violence (PV) in their workplaces. When an employer is prepared, proactive, and knowledgeable about partner violence, its employees are more productive and the workplace is safer. STANDING FIRM enables employers to: STANDING FIRM enables employers to:

• Learn strategies for responding safely to partner violence-related workplace concerns.
• Create a plan for a safe, confidential response to workplace threats and performance disruptions.
• Access information about services available to victims and perpetrators.
• Encourage the workforce to speak up when PV-related workplace threats occur.
• Respond effectively to employee PV-related performance issues.
• Understand the cost savings and safety enhancements of communicating about PV directly to employees.
• Know when and how to refer employees for outside help.

Take a stand against partner violence. Join STANDING FIRM today.

Join Us