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MEMORANDUM
March 1, 2000
TO: Program Directors
HQ's Training Registration Coordinators Program Directors
HQ's Training Registration Coordinators
FR: Georges C. Benjamin, M.D., Secretary Georges C. Benjamin, M.D., Secretary
RE: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & THE WORKPLACE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & THE WORKPLACE
A woman is
battered every fifteen seconds in the United States. Domestic violence is believed to be
the most common yet least reported crime in our nation. An estimated three to four million
American women are beaten each year by their husbands or partners. And, in 1999,
seventy-three Maryland men, women and children died as a result of domestic violence.
I am committed to providing a
safe and supportive workplace for all of our employees. Further, I recognize that domestic
violence is not a private family matter. Rather, domestic violence often follows victims
to work, depriving them and their co-workers of a safe and productive workplace. Anyone
can be a victim of domestic violence, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status or
sexual orientation. However, no one should feel alone. Help is available. The Department
has resources that can help address the myriad of issues associated with this tragic
problem. I encourage you to continue to utilize the State’s Employee Assistance
Program in this regard. There are also local community resources that can be of vital
assistance. These can be accessed through the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence
at 1-800-MD-HELPS.
To further address this issue,
the State’s Domestic Violence and The Workplace policy requires that all State
employees receive workplace training to increase their awareness and sensitivity in this
matter. I am therefore directing that all DHMH employees complete Domestic Violence and
The Workplace training by June 2001. Our Training Services Division has partnered with
the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence to enable all field units to conduct this
training for their employees. Beginning March 16, 2000, Training Services will be
conducting employee and supervisory training sessions for all headquarters units’
employees, with training sessions scheduled at both the O’Conor and Metro Executive
Buildings. Headquarters training registration coordinators should refer to the attached
headquarters training schedule, and begin registering headquarters’ employees and
supervisors according to the Training Services Division’s usual training registration
process. However, copy and use the attached registration form only for this program.
For further information,
please contact Mr. Clifford Smith of the Training Services Division on x5732. You can also
visit the Division’s website at http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/tsd/
for more details on this important statewide initiative. Let me reinforce that it is our
collective management responsibility to ensure that our employees receive this training.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support in this matter.
dsl
ATTACHMENTS (2)
cc: Arlene Stephenson
Debbie Chang
Jonathan R. Seeman
Richard Proctor
Facility & Regional Directors
Health Officers
David Long
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