Western University researchers reveal study on domestic violence at work

CTV London: Violence study Western University reveals new info on domestic violence in the workplace.

More than a third of Canadian workers have been victims of domestic violence, according to Canada’s first national survey on domestic violence in the workplace.

The study called “Can work be safe when home isn't?” was conducted by Western University and the Canadian Labour Congress.

Researchers are hoping it leads to laws that make workers and work places safer.

The study revealed for more than half of those people affected, the violence followed them to work.

Researchers at the Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women and Children started collecting data in 2013 from more than 8,400 employed Canadians, over the age of 15, from every province and territory.

Results showed employees were dealing with abusive phone calls and text messages, stalking, harassment and abusive email messages while at work.

In some cases, abusers came directly to the employees' workplace and harassed not only the individuals, but also their colleagues and co-workers.

"This study will erase the artificial boundary society has put in place between home and work lives," says Barb MacQuarrie, the study's lead and CREVAWC community director. "Issues from home show up in the workplace, whether we want them to or not, and we can no longer afford to ignore what might be happening in employees' private lives."

The study is available on the Centre for Research and Education on Violence and Against Women and Children website at http://www.learningtoendabuse.ca.