Even though, the workplace violence against women and girls is receiving increasing attention from the media. But the incidents which are made as news are just the tip of the iceberg. Workplace violence against women is one of the serious public as well as health issue. Extreme forms of violence takes place against women, which are unabated in every continent, country as well as culture. It takes shocking toll on the working women's, their families and also on the society. Such violence is prohibited in many of the societies, yet the truth is covered up in most of the cases.
In the United States, the third leading cause of serious occupational injury is homicide, after traffic accidents. It is also the second most leading cause for the death of women in the workplace. Violence against women must be addressed, as it's not only a personal or family issue, but it is a public policy issue.
Domestic violence incidents that take place in the workplace are always escalating and create an additional liability to the employers. It has also been estimated that out of 5 workdays, 1 day is missed by women as being related to domestic violence. Most commonly experienced problem by battered women is due to harassment or abusers calling or by stalkers.
Most of the incidents that take place against women in the workplace, fall into the following 4 categories-
- Violence committed by clients- This category includes the violence committed against women by the clients, customers, inmates, patients and students.
- Violence linked with crimes- It includes the violence that is associated with robbery or other crimes. The perpetrator has no lawful relation with the business or the other employees.
- Violence against manager or co workers- The victim either attacks or threatens the female employees at the workplace.
- Domestic violence in the workplace- The victim usually does not have any relation with the business, but has some personal relation with the intended female victim.
For getting a better solution for this problem of workplace violence, proper education against domestic violence should be given to them. They must also be encouraged in getting involved in violence prevention. Employers must aim at making their work place a safer one by adopting some policies as well as practices for their employees. It will avoid their employees being victimized to any sort of domestic violence against women at their workplace.
