DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM

AT A TENNESSEE GARMENT FACTORY


 
The workplace is a logical arena for intervention in the problem of family violence. Not only is work a significant portion of employed battered women's lives, the effects of domestic violence on work and the workplace are substantial. The project was developed by JACSW doctoral student Beverly Younger-Urban, in collaboration with the National Workplace Resource Center on Domestic Violence of the Family Violence Prevention Fund.

We are examining the effect of a domestic abuse intervention program on beliefs about domestic abuse, helping, and help-seeking behaviors of  managers and employees of a garment factory in eastern Tennessee at three points in time: before (T1) and after (T2) a 3-month intervention, and a year after the intervention (T3). The intervention includes a roll-out educational program; modified policies on dealing with employees who identify domestic abuse as a problem; a series of 15-minute briefings at team meetings; and educational materials.

In addition, employees using EAP services were screened for domestic abuse during the year 1997-1998. The EAP client who screens "DV-positive" will be offered an additional domestic violence intervention component, including counseling and referral to a local domestic violence program. An estimated 50 EAP clients will be screened and re-interviewed a year later. Measures include episodic violence and injuries related to domestic violence, psychological symptoms (dissociation, depression, anxiety, PTSD), social support, and work functioning (absenteeism, unit productivity, and performance).
 

Contact Information:

Beverly Younger Urban, L.C.S.W. byurban@aol.com
   

last update: 4/20/05