U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Office for Victims of Crime

Office for Victims of Crime 13 of 19 New Directions Business Community OVCAdvocating for the Fair Bulletin Treatment of Crime Victims Message from New Directions from the Field: The Director VictimsÕ Rights and Services for the 21st Century ew Directions from the Field: VictimsÕ Rights and Services for the 21st Century is a comprehensive Nreport and set of recommendations on victimsÕ rights and services from and concerning virtually every Business Community community involved with crime victims across the nation. The report represents a significant maturation in the field of victimsÕ rights and services since the I was standing near a trading position . . . speaking to a harried specialist PresidentÕs Task Force on Victims of Crime released its Final Report in 1982. New Directions chronicles about the hectic pace of the trading day. . . . A message went out across the the extraordinary accomplishments of a still young electronic ticker informing us that trading would be halted shortly. The direc- field, but also recommends what we as a society tors of the Exchange walked out onto the balcony overlooking the floor. The should strive to achieve for victims as we enter the 21st century. bell was rung in remembrance of the 168 victims of the Oklahoma City bomb- ing. There were 3,000 people on the floor. They all went silent. It was an eerie New Directions is the culmination of more than 3 yearsÕ work by over 1,000 individuals in the victims feeling that for a whole minute the wheels of capitalism had come grinding to a field including crime victims, representatives from halt. Some people bowed their heads in silent prayer for the people killed at national victim advocacy and service organizations, the Oklahoma City federal center. Others looked around, stunned by the rare criminal justice practitioners, allied professionals, and many others. In addition, literally hundreds of refer- sight of the trading floor at a dead stop during the middle of a session. . . . For ence documents were utilized and listed in the end- that minute, even Wall Street bonded with the victims on Main Street. notes of each of the 18 chapters. The work of these individuals and the publication and dissemination of Aldo Svaldi, Reporter, The Denver Business Journal1 this material has been supported by the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). The report and recommenda- tions represent views from the field, however, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of The New York Stock Exchange fact, the private sector has Justice. Moreover, while the recommendations may has not been alone in remember- taken giant steps toward not reflect all of the individual contributorsÕ views, the contributors agree that all of the recommendations are ing the victims of the worst meeting the recommenda- worthy of discussion and consideration. terrorist attack on tions of the Final Report This bulletin is a reprint of chapter 12 from New American soil. of the 1982 PresidentÕs Directions and deals specifically with promising prac- Businesses Task Force on Victims tices and recommendations related to the Business across the nation, of Crime, which Community. As we move into the 21st century, New Directions should serve as a vitally useful guide for particularly in stated that: developing policies, programs, and practices on behalf Oklahoma City and of crime victims well into the next century. As compre- Denver, Colorado, ¥ Businesses hensive as this report is, however, the real challenge should authorize begins now. After you read the recommendations, after the site of the paid administra- you have examined the numerous promising practices bombing trial, have presented in each section, then I encourage you to move tive leave for forward to see how you can implement improvements in given generously to the employees a manner that meets the needs of crime victims. victims in time, money, who must miss Kathryn M. Turman and emotional support. In work because of injuries Acting Director sustained in a violent crime, Office for Victims of Crime

1 New Directions from the Field: Victims’ Rights and Services for the 21st Century

and for employees who must victim services in the past few years ¥ The outpouring of help for the attend court hearings. are too numerous to name. The victims and families of victims of examples below were chosen to the Long Island Railroad shooting ¥ Businesses should establish illustrate the variety of private sector massacre included donations from employee assistance programs for contributions. For many companies, singer Mariah Carey from the victims of crime. profits of her hit single ÒHeroÓ and their response followed a violent crime an offer by the Mitchel Field ¥ Creditors should make liberal that affected the organizationÕs physical therapy and rehabilitation allowances for persons who are employees, customers, or community. center to provide its services free unable to make timely payments of charge to the injured.5 because of recent victimization. ¥ In 1988, Warner Bros. Television helped to establish a medical clinic ¥ Marshalls Inc., a national retailer ¥ The private sector should encour- to provide pediatric forensic headquartered in Andover, age private contributions of examinations of children suspected Massachusetts, issued a ÒBusiness money and other support to victim to be victims of sexual abuse. 4 FamilyÓ Challenge, encouraging service agencies, whether public Instead of giving holiday gifts to other firms to join in raising funds or private. their producers and actors, they to support victims of domestic made a difference in the In the past 15 years, employers have violence. Marshalls donated a community by supporting expert portion of sales from its 460 stores begun to recognize that it is good medical care for abused children in nationwide as part of its ÒShop Õtill business to offer employees a full a child-friendly setting. The it Stops!Ó day. Additional contri- spectrum of assistance programs to company continues to fund the butions were raised by Vanity Fair help them deal with problems, includ- clinic, which is a program of the Corporation, Sodexho, IBM, ing criminal victimization, that affect Rape Treatment Center at Santa FootAction, Bradlees, JordanÕs job performance and the safety of the Monica-UCLA Medical Center. Furniture, Frugal FannieÕs, workplace. Employee assistance ¥ Kaiser Permanente signed on as the Charette Art Supply, and several 6 programs are now routinely offered in title sponsor for a 5K/10K run in Boston law firms. many workplaces. Some enlightened June 1996 to raise money for college ¥ Polaroid Corporation, a leader in employers and unions are implement- scholarships for youth whose lives innovative human resources ing policies to prevent violence in the have been affected by violent crime. policies, donates substantial funds workplace and to assist employees who The program was started by a group, through the Polaroid Foundation to become victims. Unfortunately, many ÒFriends of Janie,Ó formed to help battered womenÕs shelters through- barriers still block corporate AmericaÕs the Fountain Valley, California, out Massachusetts. PolaroidÕs CEO ability and willingness to respond fully Police Department in apprehending Project encourages local and appropriately to crime victims.2 the killer of Jane Carver. CarverÕs businesses to ÒadoptÓ a womenÕs husband was a longtime Kaiser This chapter highlights innovative shelter, providing financial Permanente employee.3 corporate approaches to assisting support, in-kind assistance, victims and responding to workplace ¥ Bank of America donated $50,000 volunteers, and advocacy. violence and proposes recommenda- to the Los Angeles Police ¥ Countrywide Moving and Storage, tions to improve the business Memorial Foundation and $50,000 an independent small business in communityÕs response to violence. to the Los Angeles City AttorneyÕs Texas, provides free moving and Victim Assistance Program after storage to help victims move out Cash and In-kind Corporate armed robbers brandishing of an abusive home and resettle in automatic weapons entered a a safer environment. Contributions branch office and forced employ- ees and customers into the bank ¥ The RykŠ R.O.S.E. (Regaining The hundreds of companies that have vault. Several police officers and OneÕs Self Esteem) Foundation, made monetary and in-kind donations 4 local residents were shot. established by Sheri Poe, a sexual to individual victims and community assault survivor and owner of a

2 New Directions from the Field: Victims’ Rights and Services for the 21st Century

highly successful Massachusetts- ¥ AmericaÕs first nationwide sexual ¥ In the 1970s, CBS aired an Emmy- based athletic shoe business, RykŠ, abuse hotline, 1-800-656-HOPE, award winning episode of All In Inc., funds education, prevention, was launched by pop star Tori The Family in which Edith Bunker and treatment programs to help Amos, whose song ÒMe and a GunÓ was a victim of an attempted rape. end violence against women. describes her own harrowing experi- The production company, Tandem ence as a rape victim. The hotline is Productions, underwrote a national ¥ Many cellular phones and operated by the Rape, Abuse & campaign in which educational communication service companies, Incest National Network (RAINN) materials about rape and a discus- including Cellular One, AT&T, based in Washington, D.C. sion guide for rape crisis centers to BellSouth Mobility (Atlanta), First use in local communities were Cellular Omaha, AirTouch Cellular ¥ Austin, Texas, musician Tony distributed nationwide. Company (Phoenix), and Bell Murillo, whose mother was murdered Atlantic Nynex Mobile (New over 10 years ago, organizes annual ¥ The first television movie to deal Jersey), donate cellular phones ÒWhen the Music StopsÓ benefit with the topic of incest, Something programmed to call 911 to stalking concerts during National Crime About Amelia, had a major impact victims and victims of domestic Victims Rights Week. All proceeds on focusing public attention on the abuse. These lifeline projects are go to crime victims. need to report the crime and treat coordinated by local law enforce- its victims and perpetrators. ment and domestic violence ¥ Artist Peter Max painted four shelters. Communications portraits of 17-year-old Corie ¥ More than 15 years ago, Hill companies have also donated voice Williams, a student slain by gang Street Blues was the first television mail boxes for women in abusive gunfire in Compton, California, as series to introduce the role of a situations to receive messages she rode a bus home from high victim advocate. from family members, advocates, school in January 1997. Copies ¥ In the 1980s, the movie AdamÕs Story the police, and their attorneys.7 of the original artwork will be used as billboards announcing a ÒStop the brought national attention to the ¥ ADT Security Services has begun Violence, Start the PeaceÓ campaign.9 tragedy of abducted children. A true a nationwide program to donate story produced with input from security systems and emergency ¥ A group of prominent professional AdamÕs parents, John and Reva electronic necklaces to aid battered athletes led by Don Edwards Walsh, it helped to publicize the women. A woman in danger can and 15 NFL alumni from the Los National Center for Missing and squeeze the necklace and a silent Angeles Raiders, Pittsburgh Exploited ChildrenÕs toll-free hotline. signal will be sent to a security Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, and ¥ NBC televises public service operator, who contacts the police.8 other teams, established the Athletes Helping Kids campaign as announcements and hotline ¥ A prominent advertising agency, well as free football clinics and numbers after airing movies that Dailey and Associates, collaborated stay-in-school programs for inner- publicize the trauma of victimiza- with Santa MonicaÕs Rape city youth at risk of violence. tion. Examples include SchindlerÕs Treatment Center to produce Mr. Edwards also arranged for List (hate crimes), She Cried No educational materials for a national noted athletes to provide assistance (campus date rape), Fight for campus rape campaign. As a result to children in Oklahoma City Justice: The Nancy Conn Story of this effort, posters and brochures following the bombing of the (victimsÕ rights), and The Burning as well as television and radio Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Bed (domestic violence). public service announcements were ¥ HBO has produced and aired several made available to college campuses By producing memorable programs, documentaries on gun violence across the country. the television industry has dramati- cally increased public awareness including 5 American Handguns, 5 The arts and entertainment industry about crime victimsÕ issues, particu- American Kids and Guns: A Day in has initiated innovative victim larly in the area of child abuse, sexual the Death of America. HBO also produced and aired a special on assistance efforts, including: assault, gun violence, stalking and domestic violence. workplace violence, Murder 9 to 5.

3 New Directions from the Field: Victims’ Rights and Services for the 21st Century

¥ In 1993, CBS aired I Can Make from violent workplace incidents. You Love Me: The Stalking of A man fired 9 months earlier from an They are developing prevention Laura Black. The National Victim insurance company in Tampa, efforts to keep violence out of the CenterÕs toll-free information and workplace, including instituting Florida, returned to the cafeteria of referral service was publicized security measures and hiring psychol- during the show and received more his former employer and began ogists to develop risk assessment than 15,000 calls in 36 hours. shooting. Within minutes, five people profiles of typical workplace killers. ¥ For more than two television were wounded, three of whom When violence strikes, employers seasons, ABCÕs NYPD Blue died.“This is what you get for firing now realize that they must deal with developed a leading character who me,” he uttered as he fled the scene. both the physical injury and the has helped to educate the public These were the last words his cowork- emotional consequences of trauma. about the long-term effects of Onsite and offsite employee assistance ers would ever hear. He drove a childhood sexual abuse, which are programsÑwhich typically deal with rental car to complicated by the common drinking, drug abuse, and other family occurrence of the victim keeping a park where he used to play frisbee problemsÑare used by nearly 50 the secret until adulthood. and committed suicide. In many percent of organizations in the ways, he was a classic, violence-prone aftermath of workplace violence.12 Workplace Violence ex-employee, and in many ways, he In Columbia, South Carolina, Post The National Institute for Occupa- was not. But the type of crime he Trauma Resources has a team of tional Safety and Health reports that committed is on the rise and is one of specially trained mental health murder is the leading cause of death the newest and most threatening providers that are available 24 hours a for women at work, and third leading dangers in the workplace. day to respond to the needs of cause of death for men. While some survivors of personal, work, and duty- occupations are clearly at higher risk related trauma. Founded in 1982 to for violenceÑlaw enforcement, retail, FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, April 1995 serve the needs of Vietnam veterans and emergency medical professionals, Whenever a violent incident occurs in and their families, today Post Trauma to name a fewÑno group is immune the workplace, there is great potential Resources responds to over 150 from workplace violence. It attacks the for physical, emotional, and financial violence-related incidents each year public and private sector alike. A damage to both primary and secondary that occur in business, law enforce- pawn shop owner, a convenience store victims as well as the entire community. ment, corrections, and other settings. clerk, a psychologist, two sanitation Victimization and its consequences The group works closely with the workers, a tavern owner, a fisherman, must be dealt with by employee victims, business community in providing a cook, two cab drivers, a furniture but they need assistance, information, specialized trauma response in the store owner, a restaurant manager, a and referrals to do it effectively. The aftermath of incidents such as bank maintenance supervisor, a video store reaction, support, and assistance of robberies and workplace shootings as owner, and a postal carrier were all management and crisis responders are well as in safety planning. murdered at work in this country in crucial to survivors of workplace one week, according to the Centers for Other organizations use ad hoc crisis violence. Secondary victimization can Disease Control. Each year, nearly one management teams or independent occur if the reaction and response of million individuals become victims of trauma consultants. The National colleagues and management are ineffec- violent crime while working or on Organization for Victim Assistance tual and uncaring. duty, costing an average of 3.5 days of (NOVA), for example, has initiated a 10 missed work per crime. Five percent Businesses are beginning to take a National Community Crisis Response of women victimized at work are serious look at the threats and damage Team project to respond to violent attacked by a husband, ex-husband, to their employees and workplaces incidents in workplaces. The project boyfriend, or ex-boyfriend.11

4 New Directions from the Field: Victims’ Rights and Services for the 21st Century

enforcement. Participants also When business and industry take an included three victims of workplace If you [as an employer] know someone active role in prevention planning violence. Participants shared informa- is being abused, until you have done tion about promising practices, worked and response to violence at work, the everything you can to help them, you in small multidisciplinary groups to human and financial losses can be are not doing your job. identify areas for further action, and significantly reduced. produced recommendations to improve the response to victims of Jerome Rossi, President, Marshalls, Inc.

Dr. Lawrence Bergmann, incidents of workplace violence, some of which are included in this report. domestic violence. Since that time, President, Post Trauma Resources, a concerted effort has evolved Columbia, South Carolina Domestic Violence and within the corporation to develop a was started after NOVA led a team to comprehensive program to respond assist the community of Edmond, the Workplace to the issue. Polaroid has Oklahoma, in the aftermath of the made a commitment to domestic Whether domestic violence impacts a violence awareness, prevention, slaying of 14 post office employees in workplace directly because a batterer and response corporationwide, August 1986. Another innovative follows his prey to her job site, or encompassing the companyÕs response is sponsored by Mothers indirectly by affecting an employeeÕs employee assistance, human Against Drunk Driving, which job performance, employers are resources, legal, medical, security, publishes ÒMonday MourningÓ to beginning to take responsibility for and ombudsperson departments. assist businesses when an employee or assisting employees who are victim- ¥ In 1991, Liz Claiborne, Inc., began employeeÕs family member is killed ized. The National Workplace by a drunk driver. its WOMENÕS WORK campaign, Resource Center on Domestic Violence, a collaborative effort with public a project of the Family Violence In early 1997, the National Victim agencies to increase awareness of Prevention Fund in San Francisco, Center, through an Office for Victims domestic violence. The campaign California, serves as a focal point for of Crime grant, convened a major promotes public awareness through national and local responses to multimedia public service workplace violence symposium to domestic violence as a workplace issue. announcements, posters, tee shirts, improve the capacity and preparedness The center was founded in 1995 by a mugs, and brochures. of employers and victim assistance broad-based national coalition of providers to respond to the unique ¥ Since 1995, Aetna, Inc., based in business, labor, and advocacy organiza- needs of victims of workplace Hartford, Connecticut, has tions. With support from the Office for violence. Participants represented a integrated domestic violence Victims of Crime, the center is building broad cross-section of fields of prevention education and on the pioneering work of companies expertise related to issues of awareness into ÒAenhance,Ó its like Polaroid, Liz Claiborne, the Gap, workplace violence victimization, nationwide employee wellness and Kaiser Permanente to educate other including victim service professionals, program, thereby making private and public employers, as well as education and prevention a routine management and human resource the unions representing their workers, part of its commitment to professionals, employee assistance that domestic violence is a workplace employee health and well-being. professionals, union representatives, issue. Some of the promising programs The company observes the annual representatives from governmental initiated by companies affiliated with Work to End Domestic Violence research and regulatory agencies Day sponsored by the Family the center are described below. related to workplaces, researchers, Violence Prevention Fund, holds workplace violence experts, mental ¥ In 1984, the Polaroid Corporation workplace seminars, mounts art health professionals, and representa- in Cambridge, Massachusetts, dealt exhibitions on domestic violence, tives from the military and law with its first known case of and publishes articles about domestic violence in employee

5 New Directions from the Field: Victims’ Rights and Services for the 21st Century

publications. In 1996, Aetna, Inc. violence issues including domestic can be made available to victim acquired USHealthcare, to form violence in the workplace, the organizations after business hours or Aetna/USHealthcare, which offers relationship between domestic on weekends; delivery trucks can be a domestic violence training violence and chemical dependency, used to transport equipment for program to its network physicians. and effective interventions and nonprofit fundraising events; and services for victims. In 1996, the employees can be encouraged to ¥ Since 1979, AFSCME District CEO of Kaiser Permanente spoke become volunteers, perhaps with a few Council 37 in New York City has to employees about domestic offered free legal and social violence on Work to End Domestic hours of company time. services to members who are Violence Day. victims of domestic violence. BUSINESS COMMUNITY RECOMMENDATION These services include counseling, ¥ Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, FROM THE FIELD #2 measures to protect membersÕ Glovksy & Popeo, PC, a large law safety, emergency housing reloca- firm with offices in Boston and All managers, supervisors, union tion, referrals to shelters, and legal Washington, D.C., has created the officials, shop stewards, and other assistance including help obtaining Mintz Levin Domestic Violence orders of protection. AFSCMEÕs Project to provide free legal designated employee representa- WomenÕs Rights Department has representation to victims of tives should receive training on produced a domestic violence guide domestic violence. To respond to how workplace violence impacts for all members, stewards, and the needs of its own employees, employees and the company; how labor-management representatives. Mintz Levin has instituted to develop and implement policies workplace guidelines on domestic and procedures to resolve ¥ Florida Governor Lawton Chiles violence and offers legal assistance conflicts before they erupt into convened the state's first Intera- to employees threatened by violence; and how to develop and gency Workgroup on the Impact of domestic violence. implement crisis response plans Domestic Violence on the in the aftermath of violence. Workplace on July 1, 1996, as part Recommendations from of his administrationÕs Task Force on Domestic and Sexual Violence. the Field for the Workplace violence cost companies The mission of the workgroup, Business Community $4.2 billion in lost work, claims, and which includes representatives legal expenses in 1992. According to from each state agency in Florida, the National Safe Workplace Institute, is to heighten public awareness of BUSINESS COMMUNITY RECOMMENDATION the cost to employers of a single domestic violence and to promote FROM THE FIELD #1 episode of violence can amount to statewide guidelines for workplace $250,000. Violence interrupts business domestic violence polices. Business leaders should commit with customers and reduces employee resources in addition to money to ¥ Kaiser PermanenteÕs Southern productivity. Costly repairs and victim assistance and crime California branch, based in cleanup may be required. Valued prevention efforts. Pasadena, California, made a employees may quit or retire early yearlong commitment in 1997 to because they fear the workplace is no educate its corporate employee The easiest way for businesses to longer safe. By being prepared, assistance program (EAP) contribute to crime victimsÕ needs is however, companies can minimize the customers about the impact of by writing a check. While monetary damage from violent crises and facili- domestic violence on their donations are always important and tate a smoother transition to normalcy. workforces. The company held a can be used to effect significant series of conferences for EAP change, corporate America can assist Although most companies have managers and professionals in many other ways. For example, policies in place for fire and throughout southern California, copy machines, computers, telephones, earthquake emergencies, and plans and educating them on basic domestic fax machines, and conference rooms contingencies for weather emergencies,

6 New Directions from the Field: Victims’ Rights and Services for the 21st Century

victims, and models for violence of American life. Insurance attorneys Domestic violence follows our state prevention. Human resource profes- initially refused to recognize workersÕ employees to work and directly sionals should be educated about claims for psychological damage as a making appropriate referrals to result of these terrorist acts, but judges impacts the health, safety, and community resources and services. in Oklahoma have ordered insurance welfare of our state workforce...In companies to provide such coverage.13 February of 1996, at 4:30 one BUSINESS COMMUNITY RECOMMENDATION afternoon, an employee of our state’s FROM THE FIELD #3 BUSINESS COMMUNITY RECOMMENDATION Department of Revenue was gunned FROM THE FIELD #5 down by her husband, who then In cases of serious trauma and killed himself. Workers in offices multiple victims, employees Workplace policies and programs statewide were shocked and saddened should be assisted by long-term should be responsive to the needs expert psychological counseling. of all crime victims, including when they heard about this tragedy. victims of domestic violence. They want to know what to do....As Companies should be prepared to refer Governors we are in a unique employees victimized at work to Because domestic violence as a position not only to help pass victim assistance and counseling workplace issue has only recently come important laws and recommend agencies. In cases of high trauma, to the attention of employers and unions, policies to law enforcement, the courts employee assistance programs may not many businesses do not know how to or social service agencies, but also to be equipped to respond adequately. respond. Managers and supervisors, help our state employees lead safer, Individual and group crisis intervention unions representatives, human resource healthier lives. and counseling is often needed to assist personnel, company security, legal traumatized employees. Surveys show departments, employee health services, that employees who receive prolonged and employee assistance professionals Governor Lawton Chiles, Florida, counseling and assistance after a should develop clear guidelines and September 1996 letter to the nation’s violent incident are more productive policies on domestic violence that governors in support of Domestic and less likely to file lawsuits. ensure victims access to all available Violence Awareness Month workplace and community resources. BUSINESS COMMUNITY RECOMMENDATION many do not have policies for respond- BUSINESS COMMUNITY RECOMMENDATION ing to workplace violence incidents. FROM THE FIELD #4 To respond effectively to workplace FROM THE FIELD #6 Counseling for psychological violence and its traumatic aftermath, injuries suffered by victims of Employers and unions should work companies must have procedures in terrorist attacks in the workplace together to adopt leave and benefit place to meet the needs of victims. should be covered by worker’s policies that accommodate the Personnel policies and procedures compensation and other needs of victimized employees to should be developed to address such employer-sponsored insurance. go to court, counseling, or a shelter issues before and after acts of violence without penalizing them with whether they occur on or off the job. In the aftermath of the 1993 bombing unexcused absences or dismissal. A companyÕs polices should include of the World Trade Center in New York options such as employee transfers, City, and the massive truck bomb Victims of crime often need time to disciplinary measures, and termination. explosion at the Alfred P. Murrah meet with prosecutors and appear in Implementation of these options should Federal Building in Oklahoma City in court. Some victims need counseling be accompanied by education for all 1995, many security experts have come to deal with the aftermath of horren- relevant parties about risk assessment, to believe that terrorism is now a part dous crimes. When victims of the causes of violence, the needs of

7 New Directions from the Field: Victims’ Rights and Services for the 21st Century domestic violence begin to make them at the front line of the organiza- changes in their lives to escape their tion are trained. Because of the Administrators or executives who abuser, they must use normal business sensitivity of many of the issues allow violent actions, words, or hours to take care of legal, financial, involved in an abusive relationship, threats to go unnoticed without and personal safety issues. It is not supervisors and shop stewards need to discipline are sanctioning violence. possible to break away from an be trained in how to deal with abusive situation without taking these domestic violence situations. In some steps. One of the most important large organizations, because it is not Ann Wolbert Burgess, actions that employers and unions can possible to train all supervisory and Examining Violence in the Workplace, take for victims is to ensure that they union staff, it may be appropriate to Journal of Psychosocial Nursing, 1994 have the time they need to consult issue written guidelines, policy lawyers, go to court, meet with law manuals, or other materials. Regard- Businesses should ensure that their enforcement officials, and receive less of the form it takes, training provider staff receive the best possible counseling services. should include basic facts about training on victimization issues and domestic violence, the organizationÕs develop liaisons with local victim As President Clinton stated in a Rose commitment to providing a supportive assistance services. Garden address on June 25, 1996: environment for victims, advice for talking with victims about perfor- There ought to be, I believe, in BUSINESS COMMUNITY RECOMMENDATION mance-related problems, and every law, federal and state, a FROM THE FIELD #9 guidelines for making appropriate and protection for victims who partici- timely referrals to services within the pate in the criminal justice process All workplaces should educate company and the community. not to be discriminated against on their employees to increase the job because they have to take awareness of domestic violence time off. That protection today is BUSINESS COMMUNITY RECOMMENDATION and sexual assault as societal and workplace issues. Such education accorded to jury members; it FROM THE FIELD #8 certainly ought to extend to people will promote compassionate who are victims who need to be in Employee assistance program responses to the needs of these the criminal justice process. (EAP) staff, corporate fitness and victims and will serve to encour- wellness programs, and workplace age victims to seek services health services providers such as available to them in the workplace BUSINESS COMMUNITY RECOMMENDATION occupational nurses and medical and in their communities. FROM THE FIELD #7 directors should receive specialized training in how to deal with employ- Domestic violence and sexual assault All managers, supervisors, union ees who have been victimized. are crimes not well understood by officials, and shop stewards should society at large. Victims of these receive training on how to recognize crimes are burdened with negative signs of domestic violence in their While supervisors and shop stewards stereotypes, and the impact of staff and apply organizational may have initial responsibility for domestic violence and sexual assault is policies and programs to employees referring crime victims to internal not generally appreciated. Victims of or members who are victims of services, the social workers in the domestic violence usually live in fear domestic violence. EAP and medical personnel in the companyÕs health care unit provide the of family, friends, neighbors, and services. In recent years, organizations employers discovering that they are Prudent managers and union officials representing social workers, being abused. Workplaces can send know that the success of even the best physicians, and nurses have begun to compassionate, well-informed policies and programs is determined define how their professions can best messages to all employees, whether or by how well those who implement serve the needs of crime victims. not they are victims, to begin changing

8 New Directions from the Field: Victims’ Rights and Services for the 21st Century societal attitudes. In doing so, employ- victims must include professionals and employers have it within their power ers and unions will provide a support- experts from a wide range of fields, to reduce the price victims pay in ive environment in which victims can including general and specific victim their professional lives. By its nature, feel comfortable requesting services services; employee assistance services; violent crime inflicts serious physical and help from the organization. mental health services; human and psychological injuries on its resources and management; the legal victims which may give rise to BUSINESS COMMUNITY RECOMMENDATION profession, including prosecutors and temporary or even permanent disabil- civil, labor, and domestic dispute ities. If an employee suffers a FROM THE FIELD #10 lawyers; workersÕ compensation; labor temporary or permanent disability as Research is needed that focuses unions; and security and law enforce- a result of their victimization, on the risks and costs of ment agencies. The victim services employers are required to make workplace victimization to both field must build collaboration and reasonable accommodations under the the company and the employee. implement cross-training between Americans with Disabilities Act victim service professions, employee (ADA). But employers should be Research is necessary to enhance assistance professions, and labor- encouraged to go beyond the letter of public awareness of the scope, related groups to build understanding the law to accommodate employees incident rate, and total impact of of the victimization experience and its who are harmed by crimeÑparticu- workplace violence. Studies are short-term and long-term impact and larly when employees are injured in needed on the costs of workplace consequences, as well as to develop an the line of duty. violence in lost productivity, the understanding of labor issues and The ADA also bars discrimination financial resources spent implementing initiatives. Moreover, the victim against victims with disabilities on the workplace safety measures, the costs services field must encourage collabo- basis of their disability. Victims of workplace violence-related litiga- ration between all these professional injured by crime are often doubly tion, and the effect of workplace groups on responding more effectively disadvantaged in economic terms. violence on a companyÕs image. to workplace victimization and related Many not only lose their jobs due to Research should also be conducted to issues. It is imperative that multidisci- incapacitation but are saddled with determine which victim assistance and plinary groups work together to considerable financial debt as the service programs have the greatest improve the capacity and preparedness result of lost wages and medical bills. impact on employee morale and of employers and employee assistance When they are ready to return to the productivity. and victim assistance providers to respond to the unique needs of victims workforce, victims are forced to of workplace violence. compete for the first time in an BUSINESS COMMUNITY RECOMMENDATION employment market with a disability. FROM THE FIELD #11 It is unfair to expect victims to BUSINESS COMMUNITY RECOMMENDATION shoulder such a disproportionate share Due to the complex issues and FROM THE FIELD #12 of the burden for crime in our society. effects of workplace victimization, Employers should be encouraged to Employers should adopt policies a comprehensive, multidiscipli- make every effort to hire victims who, and practices that accommodate nary approach to delivering while they may have special needs, are crime victims who suffer physical services for these victims must be more than capable of doing the job. and psychological disabilities as a developed and implemented at Indeed, many such victims are more result of their victimization in the national, state, and local highly motivated to succeed on the job accordance with the Americans levels. than those who have not had to with Disabilities Act (ADA).14 overcome the challenges of being a A multidisciplinary approach to victim of crime. addressing the needs of workplace Crime victims often pay a heavy price for the violence they suffer, but

9 New Directions from the Field: Victims’ Rights and Services for the 21st Century

injured by crime in the course of concerning the whereabouts of BUSINESS COMMUNITY RECOMMENDATION service to their employers, they should employees. Employers should control FROM THE FIELD #13 not be made to suffer financial ruin in access to secluded areas of their addition to the physical and psycho- premises such as parking lots and Employers should report all logical hardships they are forced to restrooms and closely control keys and violent crime that occurs on their endure. Employers, in conjunction codes that access such areas. Person- premises and encourage their with policymakers, have a responsibil- nel departments should conduct employees to do likewise. ity to provide for the financial well- criminal background checks and adopt being of victimized employees screening policies in their hiring Some employers have failed to report through public and private compensa- practices. Managers should be trained violent crime that occurs on their tion programs and insurance policies. to identify signs that may indicate premises based on the mistaken view violent tendencies among employees that the crime is not serious enough or BUSINESS COMMUNITY RECOMMENDATION and develop strategies to deal that they can handle it themselves. effectively with such threats. FROM THE FIELD #15 Others fail to report violent crime because they fear that publicity of Employers should develop and violent incidents may negatively implement crime prevention and impact their image in the community. safety measures to protect their Such misguided motivations have led employees, clients, and customers. to tragedy on more than a few occasions and left employers exposed Studies clearly indicate that crime has to considerable legal liability. To an impact on where people choose to avoid these problems, employers work and where they choose to shop. should report violent crime to authori- This fact has important implications ties and inform their work force so for all employers generally and retail that they can take appropriate precau- business specifically. It is in the tions for their safety. interest of both to develop and implement measures that deter crime BUSINESS COMMUNITY RECOMMENDATION and enhance safety in their workplace. FROM THE FIELD #14 Indeed, failure to provide minimum safety measure will likely expose Worker’s compensation programs employers and business to consider- should be combined with employee able legal liability from employees and benefit programs to cover all customers alike. expenses and lost income employ- ees incur as the result of violent Apart from adopting traditional strate- victimization on the job. gies to enhance security, such as installing better lighting and surveil- WorkerÕs compensation programs and lance cameras and hiring security employee benefits such as health and guards, businesses can establish disability insurance are intended to personnel practices which foster a provide for the economic needs of safer workplace. For example, employees who are injured on the job. businesses need to take steps to secure While employers should make every their employees, including controlling effort to prevent violence in the how people enter and move about workplace, when employees are their premises and information

10 New Directions from the Field: Victims’ Rights and Services for the 21st Century

Endnotes 1 “It was Silence Heard and Felt on Wall St.,” Denver Business Journal, April 26, 1996, 1996 WL 10036078.

2 See generally, Isaac, N. E., Corporate Sector Response to Domestic Violence, supported under National Institute of Justice award No. 94-IJ-CX-0050.

3 “First Annual ‘Friends of Janie’ Memorial Run Scheduled for June 8”, Business Wire, May 8, 1996.

4 “Bank of America Announces Donations to Police,Victim Organizations,” PR Newswire, March 3, 1997.

5 “Outpouring of Help: From Superstar to Strangers, Hundreds Reach Out to Victims,” Newsday, Nassau and Suffolk Edition, December 15, 1993, News Section:7.

6 Isaac, Corporate Sector Response to Domestic Violence.

7 See “High-Tech Protection for Victims of Abuse,” Los Angeles Times, September 9, 1997,A1.

8 “Public-Private Effort to Aid Battered Women Begun,” The Richmond Times Dispatch, March 26, 1997, B3.

9 “Artist Helps Woman Honor Memory of Slain Daughter,” Los Angeles Times, March 20, 1997, Metro Section:5.

10 Bachman, R., Violence and Theft in the Workplace, Crime Data Brief,Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, July 1994, NCJ 148199.

11 Id.

12 Survey of 1000 human resource professionals, of which 479 responded, conducted by the Society for Human Resources Manage- ment (SHRM). Employee Assistance Program Digest, March/April 1994, 25.

13 Dilworth, D.C.,“Very Special Cases:Attorneys Seek Remedies for Victims of Terrorism,” TRIAL, February 1, 1997, 1997 WL 9957654.

14 42 U.S.C. 12101 (see also, Department of Justice Internet Web Page on the subject: www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahoml.htm)

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