CBIA BizCast: Combating Domestic Violence

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

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 resources including sheltering, counseling, and children’s, family, and survivor services.

Outreach, Awareness

CCADV’s 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. 

“The coalition is really focused on how do we get to people and provide them the education and training and awareness.”

CCADV’s Meghan Scanlon

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

Scanlon hopes to change the mindset around domestic violence from a criminal justice issue, to 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.

Working with Employers

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.”

“The feedback that we got was, ‘I didn’t really know what to do, I didn’t know where to turn them to.'”

Scanlon

Scanlon said in the last few years, individuals were murdered who had disclosed to their coworkers what was going on. 

“Frankly, the feedback that we got was, ‘I didn’t really know what to do. I didn’t know where to turn them to,’” she said. 

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.

Knowing What to Do 

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. 

There is also training for employers and employees who say they want to be a go-to person.

“If you can connect them to the resources that we have, chances are we can we can work with them on a safety plan.”

Scanlon

CCADV wants employers and coworkers to 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.

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

‘Culture Shift‘

“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.”

Scanlon said that while there is still work to do, employers recognize the need and are open to CCADV’s message. 

She said part of that shift happened in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“I think everybody has a different level of appreciation or knowledge about how hard life can be.”

Scanlon

“I think coming out of that, I think everybody has a different level of appreciation or knowledge about how hard life can be in general, and a willingness to help,” she said. 

Scanlon said whether it’s connecting with employers, the state, or groups like faith-based organizations, CCADV is working to raise awareness and to help educate people about domestic violence and show what resources are available. 

“I don’t think we’ll shift the narrative around domestic violence and reduce some of that hush hush stigma until we’re everywhere in the community,” she said. 

“So that’s ultimately my goal.”

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If you or someone you know needs help or more resources, visit 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 ctcadv.org.

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