Study shows increase in number of homicides by intimate partners

The rate of homicides against women at work has been on the rise with a large percentage involving intimate partners. A new study sheds light on some of the risk factors associated with workplace-related intimate partner homicides.

There were 142 homicides among women at work resulting from intimate partner violence from 2003 to 2008. The figure represents nearly one-quarter of the total.

Those at highest risk were in the health care, production, and office/administration professions. More than half the homicides occurred in parking lots and public buildings.

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Homicide is a leading cause of occupational death in U.S. women. Overall figures show the percentage of homicides against women at work increased in 2010 to 13 percent despite continuous declines in overall workplace homicides in recent years.

Reporting in the Annals of Epidemiology, researchers said criminal intent was the leading cause of homicides among women with robberies of retail stores at the top. Women in protective service occupations had the highest overall homicide rate.

The study included these findings:

More U.S. women died on the job as the result of domestic violence than at the hands of a client or a current or former coworker.
Workplace homicide rates among women were much higher in private workplaces than government workplaces.
Firearms, knives, and other sharp objects were the main items used in workplace homicides against women.
Retail businesses such as restaurants, cafes, convenience stores, and hotels and motels were the most common locations where workplace homicides against women occurred. They were followed by commercial stores, public buildings, and parking lots.

Read more at the WorkersComp Forum homepage.

June 18, 2012

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