Workplaces Respond to Domestic and Sexual Violence

A National Resource Center

Workplaces Respond to Domestic and Sexual Violence: A National Resource Center (Workplaces Respond) is a public-private partnership led by Futures Without Violence and funded by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). Workplaces Responds educates and equips employers, workers, unions, and anti-violence advocates with the knowledge, tools, and best practices necessary to prevent and respond to the impacts of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sexual harassment (DVSASSH) in the world of work.

Through an online and interactive National Resource Center, employers, workers, and advocates can access information, resources, training, and technical assistance to support employees who experience violence and harassment and implement best practices to promote safer and more supportive workplaces for all employees.

Our Approach

RECOGNIZE

To develop effective solutions, we first need to clearly define the problem, recognizing that every workplace is a unique ecosystem.

• We build awareness about the presence and impact of DVSASSH in the workplace and the responsibility employers have to provide work environments that promote safety and wellbeing.
• We share industry-based data on DVSASSH within the world of work and its impact on the workplace.
• We provide tools and resources to assess workplace risk and protective factors, employer policy and protocols, existing prevention and response practices, and workplace culture.

RESPOND

Responding to the impacts of DVSASSH requires employers to thoughtfully engage employees as part of the solutions.

• We provide model policies and protocols, and educational tools that center survivors; easily integrating into existing practices.
• We offer customizable staff education and development programs focused on trauma-informed, survivor-centered support.
• We engage employees at all levels to establish interventions that promote safety, trust, and wellness.
• We foster relationships between local victim service programs and employers to provide long-term support and expertise when addressing the complex needs of survivors.

PREVENT

DVSASSH is not a new problem and ending it will require a long-term commitment to learning and growth.

• We offer best practices to prevent DVSASSH by investing in measures to improve worker safety and wellbeing.
• We provide tools to measure and evaluate culture and progress towards preventing violence and harassment in the workplace.

It was a very rewarding experience for me to be heard and to also hear and learn about Futures Without Violence and all the intentional thought that goes into the resources and programs you provide”

Chicago Department of Parks and Recreation

Working with Futures has been very positive. [The team] adapted to our needs, for example doing an in-person review of draft materials. We appreciated the careful needs assessment”

UNITE HERE! Local 23 Representative

We could not have produced this training without the thoughtful support of the Futures Without Violence team’s support and expertise. We are so grateful for your partnership in developing the training, and can’t wait to see it put to good use”

Business for Social Response