In 2016, the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) found that there were 553,000 nonfatal violent crimes committed against women in the workplace. Of those, 302,000 were assaults and 251,000 were robberies. This makes the workplace the most dangerous place for women.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, "Nearly two-thirds of women experience sexual harassment at some point in their careers."
There are four types of violence against women in the workplace: sexual harassment, domestic violence, stalking, and physical assault.
Sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual advances or request for sexual favors. It can be verbal, nonverbal, or physical.
Domestic violence is violence committed by a current or former intimate partner.
Stalking is a pattern of repeated and unwanted attention, harassment, contact, or any other course of conduct that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.
Physical assault is when someone uses physical force with the intent to cause fear or harm.
According to the most recent statistics, an average of 21 women are killed at work each year in the United States. That works out to about one woman every two weeks. And these are just the fatalities that are reported; the actual number is likely much higher. The vast majority of these deaths are due to violence, making workplaces one of the most dangerous places for women. Many of these incidents could be prevented with better safety measures, but too often, employers fail to take action until it's too late. Women shouldn't have to fear for their lives while they're just trying to earn a living. decisive steps need to be taken to make workplaces safer for everyone.
What Can Be Done to Prevent Violence Against Women in the Workplace?
Employers can take steps to prevent violence against women in the workplace by creating policies that prohibit and punish this behavior. They should also provide training on what constitutes as prohibited behavior and how to report it. Additionally, employers should create a culture of respect and equality. Finally, employers should make sure that security measures are in place to keep employees safe.
Violence against women is a problem that needs to be addressed in the workplace. Employers can take steps to prevent it by creating policies prohibiting this behavior, providing training on what constitutes as prohibited behavior, creating a culture of respect and equality, and making sure security measures are in place.
Workplace violence is a serious issue that can have tragic consequences. It’s important that your staff know how to prevent, report and stop workplace violence before it becomes a problem. If you’re looking for training that will help your staff stay safe, we can help. Our team of experts has the experience and knowledge necessary to provide your employees with the tools they need to keep themselves and their coworkers safe from harm. Contact us today to learn more about our workplace violence prevention training or hire us to create a custom safety program for your business.
Randy
