Combating Domestic Violence CBIA BizCast

In a lifetime, one-in-four women and one-in-seven men will be affected by domestic or intimate partner violence.

And each year, the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence serves about 40,000 people.

“We are the state's leading voice for survivors and victims of domestic violence and their families,” CCADV president and CEO Meghan Scanlon told the CBIA BizCast.

The organization has 18 member agencies across the state providing services ranging from sheltering and counseling to children’s, family, and survivor services.

Their mission is to also reduce violence through outreach, education, training, technical assistance, and advocacy.

“We made a lot of progress in terms of talking about it more openly and publicly, and there being reduced stigma and shame around sharing stories, which has been great,” Scanlon said.

“But we still have a lot of work to do.”

Scanlon said that one of her goals is to change the mindset around domestic violence from a criminal justice issue, to more of a public health issue.

“The coalition is really focused on how do we get to people and provide them the education and training and awareness before they end up in the criminal justice system,” she said.

One of the ways they hope to raise that awareness is by working with employers.

“Statistically, one of the places that survivors feel the safest is in their workplace,” Scanlon said.

“So oftentimes, it's one of the only places that they go to during a day where they're getting away from the abuse.”

CCADV applied for a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to work with employers to provide basic awareness and education about how domestic violence impacts the workplace.

Scanlon said that includes understanding performance issues, or safety issues if a perpetrator calls or shows up at a workplace.

She said the education and awareness starts as small as having posters or magnets in the workplace.

It can also include training for employers and employees and specialized training for those who raise their hand and say they want to be a go-to person in the office.

The overall goal is to let employers and coworkers know what to look out for and what to do when somebody discloses they are in an abusive situation.

That can be as simple as sharing information about ctsafeconnect.org or the statewide domestic violence hotline. That number is 888-774-2900.

"If you can connect them to the resources that we have across the state, chances are we can we can work with them on a safety plan, we can make sure that they're being thoughtful around that strategy," Scanlon said.

Scanlon said the resources aren’t just for a crisis situation, but can provide support or information to family members, coworkers or bystanders.

“When somebody gets to a place where they disclose something that vulnerable to you, you have this moment to build trust with them and connect them to something,” Scanlon said.

“It's very much a culture shift for employees and employers to recognize that this is something that happens in the workplace, and we should know what to do if and when it does happen.”

If you or someone you know needs help, or more resources, visit https://www.ctsafeconnect.org/ or call or text 888-774-2900. It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7. And for more information about the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, visit https://www.ctcadv.org/