©2007 Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley
Jan 04, 2016
©2007 Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley
Workplace Violence:Identification, Prevention
& Support
Martha CoakleyMassachusetts 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 1992-1996)
Source: U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics, Special Report, Workplace Violence, July 1998, NCJ 168634
©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 emails 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 http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/workplaceviolence/
• Employers Against Domestic Violencehttp://www.mintz.com/about/community_service.cfm
• Jane Doe, Inc.
https://www.janedoe.org