Know the Warning Signs
- Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence can occur at all socioeconomic and educational levels; and anyone, regardless of race, age, religion, sexual orientation or gender, can be a victim or a perpetrator.
- Domestic violence includes behaviors that arouse fear, physically harm, threaten or control a partner in a relationship, and can include the use of physical and sexual violence, threats and intimidation, verbal and emotional abuse and economic deprivation.
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline uses a Power & Control Wheel: http://www.thehotline.org/is-this-abuse/abuse-defined/ to describe the behaviors that most often characterize a relationship involving domestic violence.
Recognizing Abuse
How to recognize if a coworker is being abused
If a coworker is experiencing abuse at home, these effects are likely to carry over into the workplace. Changes in the coworker’s behavior may indicate something is wrong; for example:
- Excessive lateness or unexplained absences
- Frequent use of sick leave
- Unexplained injuries or bruising
- Changes in appearance
- Lack of concentration/being preoccupied more often
- Disruptive phone calls or personal visits from their partner
- Drops in productivity
- Sensitivity about home life or hints of trouble at home
What you can do if you suspect a coworker is being abused
Be sure to approach your coworker in a confidential manner, at a time and place without interruptions. When bringing up the topic of domestic violence, remember to be nonjudgmental and supportive. Your coworker may be embarrassed by the situation and afraid to confide those details. Be sure to point your coworker to the available resources so they can begin to recognize the signs of an unhealthy relationship and start taking actions to protect their safety and the safety of other family members. You may recommend or encourage the victim to call Military OneSource at 1-800-342-9647 to initiate a safety plan.
Duty to Warn (DTW)
In the Indiana National Guard, crisis response cases are titled “Duty to Warn” within the State Family Program office. These cases include circumstances of domestic violence, harm to self or others or other crisis situations needing immediate attention by members of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT).