Equipping Alabama Employers with the Resources to Address Domestic Violence in the Workplace

BIRMINGHAM, AL - The Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence will host their Governor’s Conference on Domestic Violence October 2 and 3 at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel. Teaming up with Verizon Wireless as the event’s Elite sponsor, the summit will explore the issues of workplace safety, economic justice and solutions for change in relation to domestic violence. The conference will have two central tracks focusing on the impact of domestic violence at the workplace and the economic security of victims. Both tracks will feature nationally known experts presenting information to help participants learn to recognize domestic violence at the work site, respond with planning and policy guidelines and resolve safety issues through available resources and onsite training.

Verizon Wireless is a recognized corporate leader for its commitment to preventing domestic violence and raising awareness of the issue. The company’s HopeLine® program focuses on putting the nation’s most reliable wireless network to work in our communities by turning unused wireless phones into support for victims of domestic violence. No-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories, which are collected at every Verizon Wireless Communications Store across Alabama and nationwide, are refurbished or recycled. Proceeds are used to purchase wireless phones with prepaid airtime for use by victims and the agencies that support them or to fund prevention and awareness programs via financial grants.

Alabama’s domestic violence rate is one of the highest in the nation. At least 12% of both homicides and violent crimes in the state are directly related to domestic violence, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

“If you consider that every nine seconds a woman is battered by someone she knows or loves, then domestic violence impacts every community and business,” said Jeff Mango, president - Alabama/Georgia Region, Verizon Wireless. “We are committed to supporting and participating in efforts that raise the awareness of domestic violence and work to put an end to this destructive and dangerous behavior. We are honored to work with the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence to support this conference in order to equip Alabama businesses with critical information they need to understand the impact of domestic violence and gain resources to deal with this issue in their work place environments.”

Last year, Verizon Wireless partnered with the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence to produce Domestic Violence in the Workplace: A Guide for Employers, which was developed to help employers design sound, effective polices that create a safe environment when domestic violence follows a victim to work. Each section provides information to assist with the implementation of a viable workplace policy on domestic violence.

The manual is divided into three sections: Recognize - facts and indicators to explain the impact of an abuser’s actions against an employed victim, Respond - guidelines and examples to develop workplace policy and Resolve - training recommendations and resources to support an employee and maintain a safe workplace. The manual will be distributed to all attendees of the conference on October 2 and 3.

Carol Gundlach, Executive Director of the Alabama Coalition, said, “Domestic violence is everyone’s business. We are thankful for the collaboration and leadership of everyone that participated and helped make this manual a reality. Verizon Wireless continues to demonstrate their commitment to helping put an end to domestic violence here in Alabama and across the country.”

Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women in the United States - more than car accidents, muggings and rapes combined. And according to the U.S. Department of Justice, 1 in 3 women will experience domestic or sexual violence in her lifetime.

Keynote speakers at the conference will include Attorney General Troy King, Director of Peace at Work Johnny Lee, as well as well-known advocate and author Jackson Katz. During the closing luncheon, Jeff Mango, President of Verizon Wireless - Alabama/Georgia Region, will roll out the company’s No Excuse Public Service Announcement Campaign with the Birmingham Southern Panthers Head Football Coach Joey Jones.

The ACADV Governor’s Conference on Domestic Violence will give presentations, handout materials and workshops that will benefit any professional who works with victims and perpetrators of abuse. The workplace track is designed for human resources managers, risk managers, employee assistance professionals, security chiefs and other senior managers or directors. The economic security workshops will interest workforce development professionals, human services workers, domestic violence program advocates and community resource advocates.

“Statistics reveal that domestic violence has an adverse effect on the financial strength and success of a company,” said Gundlach. “The annual cost of lost productivity due to domestic violence equals $728 million and more than 8 million paid workdays are lost each year.”

All of the hands-on sessions will provide tangible resources and expert guidance to help develop programs and prepare professionals who work with domestic violence victims and perpetrators. Continuing Education credits will be available for a variety of professional certifications. More information about credits and registration for the ACADV Governor’s Conference on Domestic Violence can be found online at www.acadv.org.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 62.1 million customers. The largest U.S. wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 67,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence
The Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ACADV) is a nonprofit organization established in 1978 as a network of shelters for battered women and their children. In 1984, ACADV was incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) organization. Currently, there are 19 member programs, which serve the 67 counties in Alabama.

Media Contact:
Carol Gunlach
Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence
334-832-4842
carol@acadv.org