©2007 Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley

Workplace Violence: Identification, Prevention & Support Martha Coakley Massachusetts Attorney General October 1, 2007

©2007 Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley What is Workplace Violence? Violence by strangers Violence by customers or clients Violence by co-workers Violence by personal relations

©2007 Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley Facts About Workplace Violence It is rarely random Domestic violence is involved in many cases Fewer than 50% of non-fatal violence in the workplace is reported to police There is a broad spectrum of abusive and violent behaviors that are seen in the workplace Some workplace violence CAN be prevented

©2007 Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley Who are the Perpetrators? 89.2% are male 58.4% are white 47% are over age 30

©2007 Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley Statistics on Workplace Violence 1.5 million simple assaults 396,000 aggravated assaults 51,000 rapes 84,000 robberies 1,000 homicides (average per year from ) Source: U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics, Special Report, Workplace Violence, July 1998, NCJ

©2007 Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley Warning Signs: General Indicators of Violence Potential History of violence Poor impulse control Unsuccessful personal history History of perceived injustice Obsession Substance abuse Fascination or proficiency with weapons Personality Disorders Mental Illness Preoccupation with violence Recent life and family stressors

©2007 Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley Pathways to Violence Stage 1: Perceived injustice Stage 2: Feeling victimized Stage 3: Initiating a resolution Stage 4: Taking vengeance Source: Violence Goes to Work, Nicoletti-Flater Associates

©2007 Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley Domestic Violence in Your Workplace In a survey of 248 corporate security and safety directors, 94% of them rated domestic violence as a high security problem. Domestic violence is the fastest growing motive for workplace violence.

©2007 Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley Domestic Violence Does NOT Stay at Home A perpetrator will target his victim at her job because that job represents both a perceived and a real loss of control over her. An independent source of income can be the single largest determining factor in a victim’s ability to leave her abuser.

©2007 Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley Recognizing Domestic Violence in Your Workplace Increased or unexplained absences or tardiness Changes in behavior and work performance Preoccupation or lack of concentration Harassing phone calls or s to the workplace Bruises or injuries that are unexplained or with explanations that don’t add up.

©2007 Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley Employees Who Are Victims Of Stalking and Criminal Harassment: When an individual is being stalked or criminally harassed, it can often extend to the workplace. Example: Sandra Berfield Berfield was a waitress at a Malden restaurant. A regular customer became obsessed with her and began stalking her. Despite a restraining order and a supportive workplace, her stalker, Steven Caruso, continued to terrorize, and eventually murdered Berfield with a mail bomb.

©2007 Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley How Can You Increase Safety in the Workplace? Recognize the abuse Let the victim know you are concerned Make a statement of support Make a referral of support Offer, don’t direct Consider flexibility Work hours Placement of desk Parking Alternative worksite

©2007 Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley Next Steps: Providing Resources Through an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) Through connections in the community Local court DA’s office Victims’ services programs Educate your staff Recognizing abuse Available resources

©2007 Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley Next Steps: Universal Threat Assessment Commitment from top management to develop and enforce the policy Training for supervisors Strong statement of employer’s position prohibiting workplace intimidation, threats, or violence Written communication about reporting procedures SECURE team

©2007 Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley Resources OSHA Employers Against Domestic Violence Jane Doe, Inc.

©2007 Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley