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% |