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OPA News Release: [06/30/2004]
Contact Name: Jane Norris
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676

U.S. Secretary of Labor Addresses Violence Against Women Summit

Secretary Chao Touts Programs that Help Women Re-enter the Workforce and Rebuild Their Lives

ANCHORAGE, Alaska—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao traveled to Anchorage today to join Senator Lisa Murkowski at a statewide summit aimed at decreasing the incidence of domestic and workplace violence and sexual assaults against women. Chao told the audience of law enforcement advocates, health professionals and state officials about programs at the U.S. Department of Labor that help victims of these crimes find jobs, training and other tools they need to rebuild their lives and care for their families.

“Senator Murkowski has been a leader on issues of workplace safety, domestic violence and sexual assaults against women. We are committed to preventing violence against women and making a difference in the lives of victims in Alaska and across the nation,” said Chao. “At the U.S. Labor Department, our focus on health and safety in the workplace has helped to sharply decrease the number of homicides and assaults on the job. It is critical to keep driving the numbers down and to keep protecting women and the workplace,” added Chao.

Workplace homicides dropped five percent between 2001 and 2002 to the lowest number recorded since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began analyzing workplace homicides in 1992.

The Secretary detailed various programs run by her department that could help prevent violent situations in the workplace and help victims build better lives. The department offers two interactive courses online through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The courses teach employers how to craft prevention plans and develop screening measures, reporting mechanisms and assess risks on the job. Both courses are available at www.osha.gov under “Workplace Violence.”

The U.S. Labor Department’s One-Stop Career Centers are part of an interagency effort launched by President Bush last year that helps victims of domestic and workplace violence re-enter the workforce. Six One-Stop Career Centers in Alaska (in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Ketchikan, Bethel and Kenai) are staffed with job training and placement professionals, ready to offer everything from career advice to job listings. Furthermore, Alaska receives more than $67 million in funding for employment and training programs each year.

Secretary Chao also highlighted the department’s Women’s Bureau programs that help women manage work and family responsibilities and manage their finances. More information about the Flex-Options for Women program and WI$E Up can be found at www.dol.gov/wb.

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