Report looks at intimate partner violence in workplace homicides among U.S. women
Recent research revealed intimate partner violence resulted in 142 homicides from 2003-2008 among U.S. working women, according to a West Virginia University news release.
Conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and West Virginia University's Injury Control Research Center, the research additionally stated this figure represents 22 percent of the 648 workplace homicides among women during the period of time.
The paper, "Workplace homicides among U.S. women: the role of intimate partner violence," was published in the April 2012 issue of Annals of Epidemiology.
The study indicates the leading cause of homicides at 39 percent was criminal intent, such as those resulting from robberies of retail stores. This was followed closely by homicides carried out by personal relations at 33 percent. Nearly 80 percent of these personal relations were intimate partners, the release stated.
Risk factors associated with workplace-related intimate partner homicides include occupation, time of day and location. Women in protective-service occupations had the highest overall homicide rate.
However, women in healthcare, production and office/administration had the highest proportion of homicides related to intimate partner violence.
More than half of the homicides committed by intimate partners occurred in parking lots and public buildings.
"Workplace violence is an issue that affects the entire community," said NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D. "Understanding the extent of the risk and the precipitators for these events, especially for women, of becoming victims of workplace violence is a key step in preventing these tragedies."
In addition to its focus upon the role of intimate partner violence in workplace homicides among women, the study reports workplace homicide remains a leading cause of occupational injury death in the nation's women.
In fact, in 2010, homicides against women at work increased by 13 percent despite continuous declines in overall workplace homicides in recent years.
The study also found more U.S. women died on the job as a result of domestic violence than at the hands of a client—such as a student, patient or prisoner—or of a current or former co-worker.
Workplace homicide rates among women were significantly higher in private workplaces than in federal, state or local workplaces, according to the research.
The study also found the most common locations where workplace homicides among women occurred at retail businesses, such as restaurants, cafes, conveniences stores, and hotels. These locations are followed by commercial stores, public buildings and parking lots.
http://www.statejournal.com/story/18153645/new-study-examines-role-of-intimate-partner-violence-in-workplace-homicides-among-us-women