New Resource Available for Workplace Domestic Violence Preparedness
A friend of mine, a local businessman, shared a story with me recently that could happen to anyone. An employee’s angry boyfriend caused an emotional, disruptive, frightening scene at the workplace. Two coworkers intervened on the employee’s behalf and, after a lot of shouting, got the boyfriend to leave. The frightening confrontation confirmed what many of them had suspected: the woman they worked with every day and liked so well was in an abusive relationship at home.
That incident was the turning point. The woman told my friend she was ready to leave her abuser. Would they help? So, my friend and a colleague took her home to pack. As they stood in her home, tense and on edge as she gathered her belongings, the colleague turned to my friend and said, “What are we going to do if her boyfriend comes in?” And my friend, a savvy, caring businessman, looked at him blankly and said, “I don’t know. I hadn’t thought that far ahead.”
We don’t ever want you, as an employer or faith leader or person in charge of any group, to find yourself in that situation. Rather, we want you to know what to do – for your safety and theirs.
That’s why we created freedomideserve.org, a source for training business leaders and employees, church leaders and members, and others how to support victims of domestic violence – and what we all can do to break the cycle.
At freedomideserve.org, you’ll find policies, conversation starters, and signs of domestic violence to watch out for. All these resources can be complemented with low- or no-cost virtual or onsite training by Sheltering Wings staff.
We’re all used to being prepared for fires, tornados and now even active shooters … Let’s also be prepared for domestic abuse to invade our workplaces and churches.
Spending five minutes on our website today could save a life tomorrow.
It’s that crucial. Inform yourself now with the safest options for victims instead of fumbling through advice that just sounds good. It could save the life of someone you love, someone you work with or someone you go to church with.
Visit freedomideserve.org. And thank you for caring.
