Concerns about possible ‘abuser’ at work?

Someone who is behaving abusively at home may be “invisible” as an abuser at work. Perhaps he is an excellent worker, manager, professional and does not reveal overtly violent behaviour in the work environment.  Below are some visible warning signs that may indicate an abusive temperament:

• May bully others at work.
• Blames others for problems, especially his/her partner.
• Denies problems.
• Shows “defensive injuries” (such as scratch marks).
• Is knowledgeable about the legal and social service systems and use it to his/her advantage so it appears that he/she is the victim.
• Is absent or late related to his/her actions toward the victim or for court or jail time.
• Calls his/her partner repeatedly during work.

Adapted from materials provided by the Colorado Bar Association

Common risk factors for lethal violence

The Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC) is a multi-disciplinary advisory committee of experts that was established in the province of Ontario in 2003 to assist the Office of the Chief Coroner with the investigation and review of deaths involving domestic violence with a view to making recommendations aimed at preventing deaths in similar circumstances and reducing domestic violence in general. In 2010 the DVDRC identified the following as the top risk factors for domestic homicide:

1. Actual or pending separation	77%
2. History of domestic violence	72%
3. Obsessive behaviour displayed by perpetrator	56%
4. Perpetrator depressed in the opinions of professionals	50%
a. (e.g., physician, counsellor) and/or non-professionals      b. (e.g., family, friends, etc)
5. Victim had intuitive sense of fear	44%
6. Prior threats/attempts to commit suicide	39%
7. Perpetrator unemployed	39%
8. Prior threats to kill victim	33%
9. Prior attempts to isolate victim	33%
10. Access to or possession of firearms	33%
11. Control of most or all of victim’s daily activities	33%
12. An actual or perceived new partner in victim’s life	33%