Organization reaching out to employers of domestic violence victims
Fayette County Domestic Violence Services is trying to bring awareness to the devastating effect that domestic violence can have on employees by helping local employers implement assistance programs. Community education specialist Cathleen Augustine said that the effects of domestic violence often spill over into the workplace, where victims can be harassed or stalked when they are trying to work.
“A lot of companies are recognizing that domestic violence is an issue in the workplace,” Augustine said.
National statistics indicate that 74 percent of employed battered women are harassed while they’re working, making it difficult to perform their jobs, Augustine said. She indicated that continual problems can lead to a victim being fired and losing their source of income.
“That leads to further isolation and reliance on the (victimizer),” Augustine said.
She said abusers call or fax their victim repeatedly, or show up at the workplace, making for a potentially dangerous situation for the victim and those around her.
Augustine noted that the signs of domestic violence aren’t always as simple as seeing bruises. Many abusers are verbally abusive and controlling, limiting a victim’s contact with others, controlling what she wears or does or belittling her.
Nationally, Augustine said that employers pay out about $4.1 billion in direct medical and mental health costs through insurance that is directly related to the effects of domestic violence.
The annual cost of lost productivity totals $727.8 million, with more than 7.9 million workdays lost yearly because of domestic violence, she said.
Augustine said that Domestic Violence Services does not run workplace programs, but does help implement them.
For more information on the programs, call 724-437-2530.
The domestic violence services hotline number is 724-439-9500. Someone answers the hotline number 24 hours a day, seven days a week.