A Fort Worth-based domestic abuse resource center wants to bring much-needed training on partner violence to workplaces.<\/p>\n
The initiative \u2014 called Safe at Work \u2014 launches this week, providing a guidance, training and education tool kit to participating Tarrant County businesses. One Safe Place will host a discussion March 11, where panelists are set to highlight how employers can take steps to create safe workplace environments for domestic violence victims.<\/p>\n
Officials from the resource center said they want to help employers and colleagues to better recognize domestic violence.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you want us to come do training for your entire workforce on domestic violence 101, we can do that. We can create online training and as new people come in, it’s available to them,\u201d said Ken Shetter, president of One Safe Place. \u201cThe idea is not to have a cookie cutter approach but to work with companies to tailor a solution that works for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
The idea for Safe at Work evolved from efforts on a similar unreleased tool kit that Shetter worked on in May with family justice centers nationwide. One Safe Place officials want feedback from businesses early on in the process to better adjust the program, Shetter said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce we get our feet under us a little bit, I’m really interested in working with the chambers of commerce and thinking about, \u2018How can they be a resource in helping their organizations make this connection,\u2019\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Leaders from One Safe Place are speaking with local business owners to gauge interest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Katherine Curl, a panelist at the initiative\u2019s launch, found out about the nonprofit from a friend. Curl owns four Crumbl Cookies franchises in North Texas and began volunteering at One Safe Place last year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Curl, a survivor of domestic violence, said the workplace can be a prime place for building trust and support in an individual\u2019s life.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we can create environments where people aren’t afraid to talk about it or ask for help, we can start bringing people out of that darkness and then everything can change,\u201d Curl said.<\/p>\n
Abuse can be isolating for those living through it, she and Shetter said, noting that the effects often appear in places of employment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A 2005 study<\/a> from the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence found that 64% of victims said their ability to work was affected by the abuse at home.\u00a0<\/p>\n That same survey found that 33% of victims reported that their employers provided no support.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n What to do if a coworker reaches out to you for help \u2014 provided by One Safe Place<\/p>\n Do:<\/p>\n Listen and believe them. Don\u2019t:<\/p>\n Judge or criticize them for staying in a relationship. Even when an employer wants to help, guidance may be flawed because of lack of training, Shetter said. Advice such as recommending abruptly leaving the abuser, which is a common reaction, can lead to the victim\u2019s safety being placed in jeopardy.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we try to do is create an appropriate, policy-based standard response that is right for every situation and where we are available as an immediate frontline response,\u201d Shetter said.<\/p>\n The hope is that the Safe at Work tool kit will help bosses provide counsel that better helps victims.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you take care of your employees as people and not just workers, it’s going to create a healthier workplace for everyone involved,\u201d Curl said. \u201cIt can help you know employees \u2014 and even other people outside of your organization \u2014 in ways that you might not even understand at the time.\u201d<\/p>\n Ismael M. Belkoura is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. His position is supported by a grant from Texas Health Resources. Contact him at ismael.belkoura@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nSay, \u201cI\u2019m so sorry this is happening. You are not alone.\u201d
\nRespect privacy and keep information confidential.
\nOffer help connecting with resources, such as One Safe Place.
\nCall 9-1-1 if there\u2019s immediate danger.<\/p>\n
\nConfront the abuser.
\nShare their story.
\nSay \u201cjust leave.\u201d Leaving without a proper safety plan can be dangerous.<\/p>\n