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Home : News & Publications
October 31, 2014
DFCI institutes new policy related to domestic
violence
One in four women, over the course of their
lifetime, will be a victim of domestic
violence. While it may be easy to think,
"This could never happen to me," the reality
is that domestic violence and power-based
interpersonal relationships are more common
than many people assume. In fact,
according to a representative from Dana-
Farber's Employee Assistance Program
(EAP), domestic violence issues consistently rank in the top five
primary assessed problems. These relationships not only impact the
lives of victims, but they also affect people in the same family,
workplace and community.
Dana-Farber's EAP provides employees who have been victimized –
or who have been affected through the victimization of co-workers or
family members – with ongoing counseling, advocacy, safety planning,
and referrals. This unique option of an on-site service aims to create
an environment that provides a feeling of safety and privacy for victims.
In October, in response to a new Massachusetts law signed by
Governor Deval Patrick on August 8, 2014, which provides employees
who are victims of domestic violence a right to job-protected leave from
work, Dana-Farber has instituted a new organizational policy regarding
a leave of absence for victims of domestic violence. The policy states
that, regardless of length of employment or employment status, a staff
member is eligible for up to fifteen days of leave over the course of a
year if the staff member or the staff member's family member is a
victim of abusive behavior.
Jessica Loftus, the domestic violence coordinator for Partners EAP,
says that she is excited for the policy as it offers the necessary time off
for things such as court dates, protective shelter, and other non-
medical needs that wouldn't be covered under other policies.
Establishing this policy also ensures domestic violence awareness at
DFCI and opens a public dialogue. Loftus says, "It is so important to
bring this issue out of the silence because when we don't talk about
the dynamics and the struggles of domestic violence, it increases that
message of blame and isolation, and it makes it harder for people to
seek help."
The Partners EAP program is committed to providing resources and
assistance for those affected by domestic violence. Additional helpful

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resource links and hotline phone numbers can be found on their
Domestic Abuse Resource page. EAP encourages people who would
like more information or wish to discuss domestic abuse concerns to
call 1-866-724-4EAP.
–Maria Kaestner
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