According to a report on CBS This Morning, law enforcement agencies are now using a screening checklist when they go to a domestic violence call. The officer goes through the questions with the victim of the crime. If a certain number of questions are answered in the positive, there is an indication that a murder will soon occur. Steps are taken to get the person out of the environment.

According to the report, the checklist was developed by Johns Hopkins researcher and is proving to be quite accurate and effective in identifying those who are at risk of harm and imminent death. It's use has helped reduce domestic violence deaths by 30% in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. By answering the questions, it helps the target process the situation for their own self and come to some conclusions about the situation, their life, the relationship, and then take affirmative action to change the course of events.

There was no input with regard to civil violence, a situation where the abuser and target are are living in the same domicile but not in an intimate relationship nor related to one another by blood . There are many instances in those types of situations where the abuser will lie and tell law enforcement that the victim of the harm was the perpetrator. In that instance and depending on how believable the argument of the abuser, law enforcement will treat the victim as the aggressor and do nothing to aid or protect them. The target will either be charged or left to fend for theirself at that time and in the future.

This month's Department of Labor Women's Bureau newsletter featured an article that discusses the way in which domestic violence affects women in the workplace and their economic security. That aspect is timeless. The target's goals and endeavors are met with all manner of disruptions and even sabotage to prevent them from achieving self sufficiency and atonomy, therefore constantly dependent on the abuser for literally everything necessary to have a meaningful life. Finances become so compromised that the target will have little to nothing to enable their successful escape. Additionally, their credit record can be so compromised from having been coerced into doing economic transactions that simply are not reasonable. The result is instability and paralysis.

Be aware that the many dynamics and forms of domestic violence, domestic abuse do not stay at home. The perpetrator can be a co-worker, a client or customer. The perpetrator can be an instructor or the playground bully. The perpetrator will go to many lengths to maintain control. That is the key word in this social ill - control. The thing that drives it is the person's internal, deep-seated insecurities and a desire to have them disclosed. Others will be blamed for their mistakes. Traffic accidents will be attributed to the other driver doing something wrong and bringing the consequences onto their own self.

In addition to Breast Cancer Awareness, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It's time to get educated. Also, be certain to develop an emergency preparedness protocol in case it visits your workplace.