Intimate Partner Abuse A Training for EAP Professionals

1. Intimate Partner Abuse A Training for EAP Professionals Ellyn M. Loy, LCSW-C Director of Counseling, Outreach & Training

2. Learning Objectives • Increase knowledge of intimate partner abuse and it’s effects on the workplace. • Increase understanding of the dynamics of intimate partner abuse, including types of abuse, power and control, and the cycle of violence.

3. Learning Objectives • Increase skill level of EAP Counselors to identify & screen for intimate partner abuse . • Increase skill level of EAP Counselors to do risk and lethality assessments and safety planning. • Increase skill and comfort level of EAP Counselors working with employees who are experiencing intimate partner abuse.

4. WE ALL HAVE SECRETS

5. Defining Terms Intimate Partner Violence Wife-beating What’s the difference? Domestic Violence Spouse Abuse Family Violence

6. Prevalence • More than one in three women and one in four men in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

7. Prevalence • 1 in6 women and 1 in 19 men in the US have experienced stalking victimization at sometime during their lifetime. • Nearly 1 in 10 women in the US has been raped by an intimate partner in her lifetime. • Nearly ½ of all women and men in the US have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Statistics from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey 2010: Center for Disease Control

8. Maryland Domestic Violence Homicide Statistics July 2009-JUNE 2010 Total Number of Victims of Domestic Violence- 38 18 women 10 by husband or ex husband 7 by boyfriend or ex boyfriend 1 by brother in law Male Adults 11 Male Children 6

9. Maryland Domestic Homicide Statistics 18 men 3 killed by wife or ex wife 1 killed by girlfriend or ex girlfriend 5 killed by ex partner 1 killed by aunt’s boyfriend 5 committed suicide after committing d/v murder or attempted murder 2 killed by police

10. Stalking • 1 in 12 women and 1 in 45 men will be stalked in their lifetime. • The average duration of stalking is 1.8 years. If it involves intimate partner the duration increases to 2.2 years. • 81% of women who were stalked by an intimate partner were also physically assaulted and 31% were sexually assaulted.

11. Stalking and the Workplace • Stalking behavior in the workplace is a serious issue and poses a real threat of violence. • It is estimated that 15% of workplace homicides result directly from stalking. • According to the U.S. Department of Labor Violence Against Women Survey, 25% of all stalking victims report losing time from work due to stalking, 7% never return to work.

12. Cyber stalking • “ The use of the Internet or other electronic means to stalk someone” • Victims of cyber staking tend to be females between the ages of 18-29- but women are not the only target. • One and a half million of those people reporting identity thefts in 2004 also reported that they suffered from domestic abuse and harassment from their exes.

13. IPVand Substance Abuse • Regular alcohol abuse is one of the leading RISK factors for intimate partner violence. • Women who have been abused are 15 times more likely to abuse alcohol and nine more times to abuse drugs than women who have not been abused. • There is limited research on the connection between intimate partner violence and the use of other drugs.

14. Parents of Teenagers Approximately 1 in 5 female high school students report being physically and or sexually assaulted by a dating partner.

15. What About Perpetrators ? • Less than 10% of batterers are suffering from a diagnosable mental illness. • Demographic of men attending HRM Gateway Program- 84% between the ages of 18-44, 84% African American, 68% single, 11% married, 39% less than HS, 27% HS,37% employed,44% unemployed

16. Perpetrators in the Workplace From a 2004 study of partner violence perpetrators and the workplace by the Maine Department of Labor and Family Crisis Services • Over ¾ of offenders used workplace resources at least once to express remorse or anger, check up on, pressure, or threaten the victim

17. Perpetrators in the Workplace • 74% had easy access to their intimate partner’s workplace, with 21% of offenders reporting that they contacted her at the workplace in violation of a no contact order. • 70 domestic abuse offenders lost 15,221 hours of work time due to their domestic violence arrests. • 48% of offenders had difficulty concentrating at work, 42% of offenders were late for work

18. Good News 68% of offenders said that domestic abuse posters and brochures in the workplace would help prevent domestic violence from impacting business.

19. Harris Poll Harris ( 2008) conducted a poll for Johns Hopkins Research and found: • 46% of women who were victims of IPV contacted their EAP for help. • 89% reported using the help they received. • 71% said their work performance improved.

20. EAP and IPV • 20% said it was their supervisor who suggested they contact their EAP. • Among women who did not contact their EAP about their IPV the most common reason was they did not think about it ( 31%) and were not comfortable talking about it (24%).

21. EAP and IVP Among those who did contact their EAP, confidentiality was the most common concern with 67% saying they were worried that their employer would find out.

22. What have we learned so far? • Intimate Partner Violence effects every area of a victim’s life which includes the workplace. • EAP’s are in an important position to educate employees, victims and perpetrators about Intimate Partner Violence and offer help and access to other resources. • It is critical for EAP staff to know about Intimate Partner Abuser.

23. Values Exercise • In an intimate relationship one partner has the right to know where the other partner is. • People who are abused are responsible for the abuse because they could avoid it. • Women who are in abusive relationships could leave if they really wanted to. • Mothers who stay with men who assault them are neglecting their children.

24. Definition of Intimate Partner Abuse A pattern of behavior meant to threaten, harass, and coerce the victim in order to establish and maintain control and dominance. Along with physical trauma, it may include emotional, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse devised to exert control.

25. Types of Abuse • Physical • Emotional/Verbal • Financial/Economic • Sexual

26. Power and Control

27. Equality Wheel

28. The Story of Bill & Jane

29. Screening for Intimate Partner Violence • What’syour experience being screened? • What is Universal Screening? • Why don’t we always ask?

30. Screening Exercise • What makes me feel uncomfortable about asking people about intimate partner violence in their life? • What do I need to make me feel more comfortable? • What is one sentence or question that you would feel comfortable saying?

31. Why people don’t tell • They are afraid their partner will find out they told • They are embarrassed • They are afraid they will be punished ( fired ) • They are afraid you will call CPS • They are not ready to do anything except tell • They are afraid you will make them do something they are not ready to do • What else ?

32. Speaking of Secrets

33. Oh no! Domestic Violence! • Risk Assessment= The likelihood that there will be another incident of abuse • Lethality Assessment= The likelihood that an incident will result in a murder or almost murder. • Jackie Campbell’s Femicide Study

34. Risk Assessment Likelihood of future abuse • There has been a previous incident • Increase in severity • Increase in frequency • Drugs and/or alcohol present • Batterer’s possessiveness of victim • Victim’s isolation • Sexual abuse • Use of weapons • Abuse to children

36. Safety Planning • Looking at the next 24 hours. • Context • Staying • Leaving • Planning to leave • Risk and Lethality Assessment

37. HRM Hotline Lethality Assessmenr

38. HRM Hotline Lethality Assessment

39. HRM Hotline Lethality Assessment

40. HRM Hotline Lethality Assessment

41. HRM Hotline Lethality Assessment • Risk Level • 1 ( 14 and up OR answering Yes to questions 1-3) • 2 (9-13) low risk of imminent danger • 3 ( 0-8 ) no imminent danger

42. Looking at the victim • Economic resources- housing/income • Emotional resources • Mental health status ( PTSD ) • Substance Abuse • Disabilities • Children • Attachment to abuser • Social isolation

43. Systems • Legal remedies & legal resources • Social Services • Medical Services • Religious • Community

44. Safety Planning at the Workplace • What is the employers policy on DV in the Workplace? • What systems are already set up (safety committee)? • What can employer do to help the victim stay safe-leave of absences, transfer of workplaces, change telephone numbers? • How can employer assist the victim in reaching out for help and connecting her with community resources?

45. Safety Planning • Explore getting a Protection Order that includes the workplace. • Encourage employee to save any threatening emails or voice mails. • Designate a code word or phrase so employee can alert you to any danger. • Make sure her work station is away from public access. • Give her priority parking- or escort to bus.

46. Always End With a Plan • Do you have an accurate assessment of her risk of another incident? • What resources is she willing to contact? • What kind of assistance or support is needed from you? • What is her current safety plan ( next 24 hours ) ?

47. EAP Goals for Working with Victims of IVP • Ensure the safety of the company and all its employees. • Help the victim find strategies to end the abuse. • Help the victim obtain counseling to create ongoing safety plans, build self esteem, address distressing symptoms, and address the abuse either by leaving the relationship or developing other safety strategies.

48. Goals, con’t • Never to do anything that may increase the victim’s level of danger. • Return the employee/victim to a healthy and safe environment both at home and at work.

49. Case Study

50. Almost the End