What is Partner Violence?

Partner violence is not just a domestic matter.

When an employee makes the decision to leave his/her abuser, he may not know where is living,  but he knows where she works.

What STANDING FIRM calls “partner violence” is more commonly known as “domestic violence”.  We use the term partner violence to remind us 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.

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.

Methods that PV perpetrators use to control their partners are:

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.

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