ORANGE COUNTY VOICES : Domestic Abuse Can Damage Businesses as Well as Lives : Impact: American companies are losing billions, and it’s time they addressed the problem.
When I first met Denise Brown, she told me that her sister Nicole never mentioned that she had been abused. However, Denise and her family are now painfully aware that they should have understood the early warning signs. Denise never thought her life would be touched by domestic violence, but since has become a passionate spokeswoman against domestic abuse. It is an epidemic that is silently killing thousands of women across the country.
Denise Brown and I met after she became involved with Human Options, an Orange County facility for abused women. She told me it was only after talking with the Human Options staff and others involved in preventing domestic violence about the warning signs and symptoms of abuse, that she realized Nicole had been a victim. Since then, the Brown family has become knowledgeable about the reasons family, friends and employers fail to recognize the signs of abuse.
Now is the time for the business community to recognize the enormity of the problem and take action to protect their employees. As president of a California homebuilding firm and a participant in the campaign to end domestic violence, I believe the business community must learn about the epidemic proportions of domestic violence in our society because the effects can damage businesses as well as lives.
According to the National Public Services Research Institute, domestic violence costs American businesses more than $202 billion in medical fees, psychological costs and productivity over the lifetime of victims. Tragically, this number is actually much higher because violence is rarely mentioned by employees as a reason for missing work or seeking medical attention.
By understanding the impact on business, corporate leaders can begin to take a stand. Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury among women ages 15 to 44. Nationally, 50% of women who are murdered are killed by their husbands or boyfriends.
While these statistics have existed for years, it is only recently that the public has begun to perceive domestic violence as a major issue. Abuse transcends economic and social status. Nicole Brown Simpson appeared to have everything, but domestic violence cuts across all social classes. In fact, higher social status often makes it more difficult to address the real problem. Affluent women like Nicole are even less likely to seek help because they are ashamed.
Business managers are just beginning to realize that domestic abuse has a major effect on not only the victim and the victim’s family, but also on co-workers and, ultimately, the entire organization. Colleagues are affected by a distraught woman who cannot concentrate on work, forcing others to pick up the slack. The victim suffers lost wages due to absenteeism, chronic exhaustion and anxiety--all symptoms of abuse that diminish the employee’s confidence and productivity.
Warning signs include: calling in sick at twice the normal rate; physical signs such as broken bones, bruises or burns (although most victims are skilled at concealing their scars), and psychological symptoms such as isolation, depression, anxiety, and fatigue, which are harder to detect.
What can businesses do? Many inexpensive on-site prevention programs can be offered, including referrals to health professionals and shelters, seminars, a hot line and improved health insurance for victims. In addition, management should be aware of all of the local outside organizations that offer assistance while respecting employees’ privacy.
One such organization is Human Options of Orange County. It offers counseling centers and prevention programs for victims of domestic violence, as well as anger management classes for the abuser. The organization also provides alternatives for abused women and children with an 18-bed emergency shelter and “Second-Step,” a long-term facility. To further the work of Human Options, a coalition to build a new emergency facility has been formed by HomeAid of Orange County, the city of Irvine and the Irvine Co.
Denise Brown is helping to keep the issue of domestic abuse in the spotlight. We must help her carry on the fight long after the Simpson trial is over. Legislation is being considered and public awareness campaigns are being launched by women’s groups and businesses. The Brown family has established the Nicole Brown Simpson Charitable Foundation for Battered Women. Liz Claiborne, Reebok and Ben & Jerry’s have joined with other firms in launching the Domestic Violence Action Committee to raise funds for research into domestic violence and its cost to businesses. Every business can help end domestic violence by taking steps to recognize and address the problem.
