The Alliance against Workplace Violence Observes Workplace Violence Awareness Month

The Alliance against Workplace Violence Observes Workplace Violence Awareness Month

By Patricia D. Biles

     FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Patricia D. Biles, former Workplace Violence Prevention Coordinator for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), recently formed the The Alliance Against Workplace Violence (AAWPV), an association providing education for the prevention of violence in the workplace. 

    Biles formed AAWPV in an effort to generate discussion and ideas about preventing violence in the workplace among those who are already working diligently in this area and to include persons in the community who may be unaware of the problem.  Consultants and practitioners in workplace violence prevention have joined in a collaborative effort to bring information to schools, churches, community associations, chambers of commerce, and violence prevention organizations. 

    AAWPV has designated the month of April as Workplace Violence Awareness Month (www.workplaceviolenceawareness.org) Employers, employees, victims’ advocates, union activists, and the U.S. Government have worked collaboratively for almost two decades to lower the homicide rate.  Similar progress has been made in reducing the number of nonfatal injuries due to violence in the workplace. Recent headlines show, however, that violence remains a serious problem in the workplace. We believe that any killing in the workplace is too high a price to pay to make a living.

    “If we are to see continued progress made in this area, we need to bring attention to this issue.  We realize that violence in homes and communities often spills over into the workplace. The workplace is a microcosm of what happens in the community. Therefore, there are lessons to be learned by parties on all sides and we need to collaborate on finding and implementing solutions”, said Biles.

    The Alliance published its first book in the series Halt the Violence. It is available on Amazon and on the Alliance website.  Alliance members are available to assist employers and communities in workplace violence education and prevention.

    For more information on AAWPV or Halt The Violence, visit www.aawpv.org or call (954) 486-4574.