By Jorge Mercado Sunday, October 18th, 2026

By Caroline Prijatel-Sutton

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time when we focus our attention on education and outreach efforts in Ventura County. We know that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will encounter violence in their relationships in their lifetime and that domestic violence, typically viewed as a private matter, can affect families, children, schools, communities and the workplace.  

The stress of abuse in the home can overflow into the working life of a victim.  Daily stress and fear may cause disruptions, performance issues and absenteeism.  The abusive partner, in their efforts to control, may disrupt the workplace with calls, messages and stalking behavior, creating a stressful environment for not only the victim, but coworkers and customers as well.  

Domestic violence is a difficult topic and not a typical workplace conversation to have with managers and teams.  However, knowing the signs of a coworker who might be experiencing violence in their relationship or home might stop a potentially dangerous situation.  

Domestic violence victims might present at work with unexplained injuries, perhaps with clothing that covers bruising or scars.  

They may seem distracted, uneasy or anxious and ask for breaks to check in with their partner.  

They may ask for excessive time off or experience challenges in getting to work on time.  

You may notice that they do not want to go home or make excuses for a partner’s behavior.  

Safety concerns can be an ongoing worry that may cause productivity issues in the long term.  

While we most often associate domestic violence with physical abuse, bruises, cuts and injuries, many abusers use tactics to manipulate or emotionally or financially abuse their partner.  Emotional abuse may come in the form of constant put-downs or shaming the victim.  

Perhaps they blame the victim for the abuse or threaten violence against another loved one or child. 

Financial abuse can come in the form of withholding paychecks, ruining credit or disabling access to bank accounts. Abusers may use tracking devices on phones or even cars so they can always know their location.  

Employers can have a great influence on whether an employee feels safe in asking for help and resources.  

Creating a clear policy on domestic violence and allowing time off for reporting and court appearances will help employees feel supported and more apt to stay committed to their job.  

Understanding the signs of abuse and posting local resources can help coworkers, HR and victims feel equipped with the correct knowledge to help.  

Lastly, having your local domestic violence organization provide training and resources is a great way to educate and engage your staff around this important topic. 

Domestic violence is a safety issue for not only the immediate victim, but also family, friends and the workplace. Having access to tools and education can be the difference in the lives of victims.  

Coalition for Family Harmony has been providing education, prevention, programs and emergency services in Ventura County for 50 years. We are proud to be a vital resource for our community. 

If you or someone you know needs to speak with a domestic violence advocate, please call (800) 300-2181 or visit www.thecoalition.org.

• Caroline Prijatel-Sutton is the executive director of Coalition for Family Harmony in Ventura County.