One in Four US Women Experiences Domestic Violence Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit PR Newswire 10/22/97 http://www.prnewswire.com One In Four American Women Has Experienced Domestic Violence Bureau of National Affairs Estimates Family Violence Costs Corporations Between $3-$5 Billion Annually The Body Shop/YWCA Survey Confirms Domestic Violence Takes Multiple Forms and Affects the Workplace NEW YORK, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- She could be your mother, your sister, your colleague, your neighbor or friend. She could be young or old, married or single, rich or poor. She could be black, white, Asian or Latina, college educated or a high school graduate. Although age, income and marital status are factors affecting who experiences abuse, the sad reality is that anyone could be a victim of domestic violence. And according to a recent survey, the effects of violence do not remain at home. Nearly one in four (24%) American women between the ages of 18 and 65 has experienced domestic violence, according to a just-released national survey, the Many Faces of Domestic Violence and Its Impact on the Workplace. The nationwide telephone poll, conducted by EDK Associates of New York, was commissioned by The Body Shop and developed with the YWCA of the U.S.A. It is the first national survey to explore psychological violence and the impact of domestic violence on the workplace. A written survey of over 7,000 women, available at all locations of The Body Shop and all YWCAs nationwide, offered further perspective on women's experiences with violence, as well as the scope and consequences of domestic violence in America. The findings are disturbing and clearly indicate that the effects of domestic violence go beyond the private boundaries of the family. For example, both surveys revealed that women in abusive relationships often experience multiple forms of domestic violence -- including physical, sexual and psychological abuse. Not surprisingly, the psychological violence follows women into their workplaces. Nearly four in ten (37%) American women who have experienced domestic violence reported that this abuse had an impact on their work performance. More than one in ten (12%) women reported their current or past intimate partner harassed them at work. Poor work performance not only diminishes a woman's self-esteem but also has serious implications for employers. The Bureau of National Affairs estimates that family violence costs U.S. corporations between $3 and $5 billion annually in lost time and productivity. "With the majority of our staff and customers being women, domestic violence is clearly an issue that affects The Body Shop very personally," notes Anita Roddick, founder and Chief Executive of The Body Shop International. "At The Body Shop, we work with the YWCA and other local service providers to train our employees on the issue. Through our shops, we distribute information and crisis referral numbers to consumers. And we encourage all of our shops to participate in community service by allowing each employee up to four paid hours per month to work in their local community." Both surveys on domestic violence are part of The Body Shop's campaign to Blow the Whistle on Violence Against Women, an ongoing national initiative to shatter the silence surrounding the issue. Now in its third year, the campaign has raised over $150,000 for victim support and violence prevention programs nationwide. To rally people around the cause, The Body Shop sells a silver-plated whistle commemorating all women victims of violence. Proceeds from the sale of the whistle are donated to the YWCA and Outward Bound's Women of Courage program. The surveys were developed in partnership with the YWCA, with support from SELF magazine and valuable input from key organizations, including the Family Violence Prevention Fund, the Women's Bureau of the Department of Labor, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Coalition Against Sexual Assault. "The YWCA has begun to focus attention on the emerging issue of workplace violence," observes Prema Mathal-Davis, Chief Executive Officer of the YWCA of the U.S.A. "As part of the YWCA Week Without Violence, YWCA affiliates in Southern California and across the country are training employers to help abused women be safe and supported at the workplace, and to minimize the risks for co-workers." "There is no one solution to the problem of domestic violence," adds Roddick. "But effective solutions must be found in unity. Families, communities, and the public and private sectors must come together and take a stand for safe communities, safe workplaces and safe relationships." The Many Faces of Domestic Violence and Its Impact on the Workplace Key Findings from the Survey Physical Abuse * 16% of American women aged 18 to 65 said they have been physically harmed -- slapped, punched, hit, pushed, choked or shoved -- by their current or past intimate partner. Sexual Abuse * Nearly one in ten (9%) American women reported a current or past intimate partner forced her to have sex against her will. Psychological Abuse * One in six (17%) women reported having suffered from psychological abuse. * 15% of American women have been stalked, spied on or harassed by their current or former partner. * More than one in ten women (12%) reported that their current or former intimate partner harassed them at work, either in person or by telephone. Effects on the Workplace * Nearly 24% of women who experienced domestic abuse said this abuse caused them to arrive late to work or to miss days of work. * 15% of women who experienced domestic abuse said they had a difficult time keeping a job. 20% of the women said domestic violence affected their abilities to advance in their careers. * 25% said they experienced multiple consequences in the workplace. Multiple Forms of Abuse * 15% of American women reported suffering more than one form of violent behavior. * Nearly two-thirds of women who have been physically abused have also been psychologically abused. * Three in four (77%) women who have been raped by an intimate partner have been psychologically abused. SOURCE The Body Shop CONTACT: Stella Fox or Heather Natt, SAVVY Management Public Relations, 212-477-1717 or Fax 212-477-l736 ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytfem-10.22.97-20:54:52-21134