See The Human Behind The Behavior: How Leaders Can Respond to Abuse With Awareness & Empathy

Content note: this episode discusses domestic violence and sexual assault. Please take care of yourself while you listen, and pause or skip ahead whenever you need to.

Most of us were trained to leave home stuff at the door when we clock in... but abuse doesn't stay home. More than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men in the U.S. have experienced violence or stalking by an intimate partner, and that means survivors are on your team, in your Monday meeting, and on your second shift crew right now. In this episode, Melissa breaks down what the numbers look like in the faces you see every day, how abuse quietly shows up in attendance, focus, and performance, and what your role as a leader actually is. You don't need to be anyone's therapist. You DO need awareness, empathy, and the willingness to get curious before you write someone up.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why "leave it at the door" was never realistic, and what it costs your people and your team Relatable statistics on domestic violence and sexual assault, and what they mean for your workplace The signs that may show up in performance, plus why the person causing harm can be a safety concern at work too A simple script for opening a caring, private conversation about what you've noticed Eight practical ways to respond with empathy while still holding expectations If you or someone you love needs support

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or visit thehotline.org RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 or visit rainn.org Check with your HR team about your organization's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 Sources mentioned in this episode

CDC National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey 2023/2024 summary (Safe States Alliance) CDC NISVS 2023/2024 Sexual Violence Data Brief RAINN statistics WomenSV: Domestic Violence and the Workplace DomesticShelters.org: Economic Impact of Domestic Violence Resilience: When Domestic Violence Comes to Work CDC NISVS overview (archived)