Skip left navigation

Home > A-Z Health Topics > Violence Against Women > Types of violence against women > Violence against women at work

Click the red escape button above to immediately leave this site if your abuser may see you reading it.

Violence against women at work

• More information on violence against women at work

Women from all backgrounds are attacked each year at work. Among women, murder is the leading cause of death from a workplace injury. Sometimes women are attacked during a robbery. Usually, though, women are hurt by someone they know, like a co-worker, customer, client, or patient. And sometimes attacks are the result of domestic violence that spills over into the workplace.

Here are steps you can take if you are concerned about violence at work:

• Learn how to stay safe. Ask your supervisor about any safety policies and trainings. Make sure you know how to get help in a violent situation. Find out what security services are available, such as a security escort to your car.
• Talk to your supervisor about adding safety tools. These can include panic alarms, closed circuit TV cameras, better lighting, and signs saying that only small amounts of cash are available.
• Report any incidents that worry or upset you. Tell your supervisor about physical or verbal abuse. Also report worrisome behaviors of co-workers, clients, or customers. This can include sexual comments or advances that make you feel uncomfortable. Provide a written report, and keep a copy. You can ask that the report be kept confidential.
• If you are experiencing domestic violence, tell your employer. If you have a court order of protection, share it with your employer, along with a photo of your abuser. If you don't have a court order, your employer may be able to help you get one. Your employer may be able to help in others ways, too. For example, if your workplace has an employee assistance program (EAP), staff there can provide support and resources.

Remember that you deserve to feel safe at work and your employer has a responsibility to help keep you safe.

Return to top

More information on violence against women at work

Explore other publications and websites

• Employment Discrimination Against Abused Women (Copyright © Legal Momentum) — This fact sheet discusses laws concerning sex discrimination and wrongful firing as they apply to women who have experienced violence.
  http://www.legalmomentum.org/assets/pdfs/employment-discrimination.pdf
• Facts About Sexual Harassment — This fact sheet explains the laws about sexual harassment, including what is harassment.
  http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/publications/fs-sex.cfm
• How to Talk With Someone Who is Being Abused: Guidelines for Coworkers (Copyright © Family Violence Prevention Fund) — If one of your coworkers may be experiencing abuse, this guide can help decide when and what to say to help them progress toward safety.
  http://www.giverespect.org/assets/pdf/BSC_guidelines_for_coworkers.pdf
• Occupational Violence — This website talks about violence experienced at the workplace, risk factors, and initiatives to prevent violence.
  http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/violence/
• Safety and Health Topics: Workplace Violence — Although there are no specific national standards for workplace violence, this website gives links to state information and national research on violence in the workplace.
  http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/workplaceviolence/index.html
• State Law Guides (Copyright © Legal Momentum) — These guides have information about state laws that can help survivors of domestic or sexual violence deal with money issues.
  http://www.legalmomentum.org/our-work/domestic-violence/state-law-guides.html

Connect with other organizations

• National Domestic Violence Hotline
  http://www.thehotline.org/
• Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice
  http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/
• Office on Violence Against Women, DOJ
  http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/
• U.S. Department of Labor
  http://www.dol.gov/
• Workplaces Respond to Domestic and Sexual Violence: A National Resource Center
  http://www.workplacesrespond.org/

Content last updated May 18, 2011.

Resources last updated May 18, 2011.

Email Print

Return to top