U.S. Department of AgricultureSafety, Health and Employee Welfare Division |
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All of you know how much needs to be done to take meaningful steps to end domestic violence and sexual assault. We need tough law enforcement, aggressive prosecutions, effective prevention programs and available shelters for families in distress. Most importantly, we need to insure that more people know and understand that domestic violence is not a private matter. It is a critical national problem that affects us all -- in every community, in every work place and in every school.
President Clinton recognized the seriousness of the problem when he signed the Violence Against Women Act as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. In the past year, the Department of Justice has sought to combine tough federal penalties along with substantial resources to the states to begin dealing with the problem of domestic violence in a comprehensive, multi-faceted way. States and local law enforcement agencies have been encouraged to begin programs that will enhance their ability to prevent domestic violence, to punish it and to stop the cycle of violence. The Act also established a:
President Clinton has called on all the Departments of the Federal government to develop employee awareness campaigns to help combat domestic violence. The Department of Justice, Violence Against Women Office, prepared this handbook as a resource guide for anyone seeking assistance or information on Domestic Violence. The following web site addresses are provided as additional resources:
Tough new laws are one way to reduce domestic violence and sexual assaults. Nothing sends a clearer message to a wife-beater -- Department of Justice statistics confirm that women are battered far more than men -- than prosecuting and jailing other wife-beaters. New laws, however, are not the only answer.
Too many people continue to believe that domestic violence is a private matter between a couple, rather than a criminal offense that merits a strong and swift response. Even today, the victim of a domestic assault runs the risk of being asked, "What did you do to make your husband angry?" This questions implies the victim is to blame for this abuse. People in our criminal justice system -- police, prosecutors, judges, and jurors -- need to be educated about the role they can play in curbing acts of domestic violence.
Even when cases are brought, domestic crimes are difficult to prosecute. All too often victims are so terrorized that they fear for their lives if they call the police. Silence is the batterer's best friend. We have to end the silence and change our attitudes toward domestic crime.
Neighbors must contact the police when they hear violent fights in their neighborhoods. Don't turn up the television to block out the sounds of the drunken argument next door. Call the police.
Teachers should be alert to signs that students have witnessed violence at home. Children who grow up in violent homes are more likely to become violent themselves.
Medical professionals who see the victims of violence need to ask them about these crimes. Too often, doctors or emergency room personnel accept the statement of fearful victims that their bruises or cuts are the result of household accidents or falls. When a woman with a black eye says that she fell and hit the doorknob, doctors and nurses must ask: "Did someone hit you?"
Members of the clergy need to become more involved as well. We just can't tell a battered spouse to "go home and make it work," as was done in the past. Sending a woman back to a battering husband often places her life at risk. Of course, we can't tell a woman who lives in a violent relationship what to do, but we can make a greater effort to let her know that other options are available for her and her children. Early intervention is crucial.
These crimes are serious. Experience shows that levels of violence in these relationships tend to escalate, and many police departments cite domestic violence as their number one problem. Tough laws and effective prosecutions, combined with education and a cooperative approach among law enforcement and social service agencies, will take time to be effective. Until then, we all must take a greater role in reporting domestic abuse. Our efforts to break the silence can make a difference.
As domestic violence awareness has increased, it has become evident that abuse can occur within a number of relationships. The laws in many states cover incidents of violence occurring between married couples, as well as abuse of elders by family members, abuse between roommates, dating couples and those in lesbian and gay relationships.
In an abusive relationship, the abuser may use a number of tactics other than physical violence in order to maintain power and control over his or her partner:
Emotional and verbal abuse:
Survivors of domestic violence recount stories of put-downs, public humiliation, name-calling, mind games and manipulation by their partners. Many say that the emotional abuse they have suffered has left the deepest scars.
Isolation:
It is common for an abuser to be extremely jealous, and insist that the victim not see her friends or family members. The resulting feeling of isolation may then be increased for the victim if she loses her job as a result of absenteeism or decreased productivity (which are often associated with people who are experiencing domestic violence).
Threats and Intimidation:
Threats -- including threats of violence, suicide, or of taking away the children -- are a very common tactic employed by the batterer.
The existence of emotional and verbal abuse, attempts to isolate, and threats and intimidation within a relationship may be an indication that physical abuse is to follow. Even if they are not accompanied by physical abuse, the effect of these incidents must not be minimized. Many of the resources listed in this book have information available for people who are involved with an emotionally abusive intimate partner.
For additional information on the domestic violence definitions and laws in your state, please contact the state resource listed in this handbook.
Adapted from: Sarah Buel, Esq., in "Courts and Communities: Confronting Violence in the Family," Conference Highlights, National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, 1994.
Every individual in an abusive relationship needs a safety plan. Shelters and crisis counselors have been urging safety plans for years, and police departments, victim services, hospitals, and courts have adopted this strategy. Safety plans should be individualized -- for example, taking account of age, marital status, whether children are involved, geographic location, and resources available -- but still contain common elements.
Adapted from: "Preventing Domestic Violence" by Laura Crites in
Prevention Communique, March 1992, Crime Prevention Division, Department of the
Attorney General, Hawaii.
As awareness about domestic violence has grown, so has the recognition that
this crime has a major impact in the workplace. The abuse an employee receives at
home can lead to lost productivity, higher stress, increased absenteeism and higher
health care costs. A 1994 survey of senior corporate executives conducted by Roper
Starch Worldwide on behalf of Liz Claiborne, Inc. found that:
This handbook is another step in the Federal Employee Awareness
Campaign on Domestic Violence, the goal of which is to educate and foster awareness
about domestic violence for United States government employees worldwide.
Through this campaign, we hope to put people in touch with resources, such as
Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and publications which will be helpful in
combatting the crime of domestic violence.
On February 21, 1996, President Clinton
announced a nationwide, 24-hour, toll-free domestic violence hotline. The number is 1-800-799-SAFE and the TDD number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-787-3224. Help
is also available to callers in Spanish and to other non-English speakers. The hotline provides immediate crisis intervention for those in need. Callers can receive counseling and be referred directly to help in their communities, including emergency services and shelters. Also, operators can offer information and referrals,
counseling and assistance in reporting abuse to survivors of domestic violence, family
members, neighbors, and the general public.
In many areas, there are local domestic violence agencies which can provide
crisis services such as shelter, counseling, and legal assistance. These numbers can
be obtained from state or regional coalitions, from the phone book, or by calling
information.
The Department of Agriculture's Employee Assistance Program can also provide you with
assistance and referrals, support groups, counseling and other services.
What Can Each of Us Do?
Adapted from: "Preventing Domestic Violence" by Laura Crites in
Prevention Communique, March 1992, Crime Prevention Division, Department of the
Attorney General, Hawaii.
What Can Communities do to Prevent Domestic Violence?
Adapted from: "Preventing Violence Against Women: Not Just A Women's Issue," the
National Crime Prevention Council, 1995.
Domestic Violence and the Workplace
To ensure that the Federal government will be a leader in educating employees
about the serious implications of domestic violence, President Clinton has directed the
heads of every Federal department to conduct employee awareness campaigns on the
issue. Similar programs are underway in corporate America, led by companies such as
the Polaroid Corporation, Marshalls Inc., Liz Claiborne Inc., and Aetna.
Where Can You Get Help?