NCJ Number
209908
Journal
Security Journal Volume: 18 Issue: 2 Dated: 2005 Pages: 31-38
Date Published
2005
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article describes workplace violence experienced by long-haul female truckers in the United States.
Abstract
Between 6 and 10 percent of long-haul truckers are women, and their numbers are increasing. Data on the violence experienced by a convenience sample of 51 of these women were obtained through a self-administered survey distributed at a major truck show in 2002. Sixty-eight percent of the women drivers were between 30 and 50 years old, and 47 percent were married. The questionnaire included the Conflict Tactics Scale, which measures tactics to resolve differences between spouses and partners within the previous year; the Perceived Stress Scale which measures the degree to which the women were experiencing stressful situations; and the Perception of Job Safety Questionnaire, which was developed by the researchers to measure the respondents' perceptions of safety on the job. Thirty-one of the women completed the Conflict Tactics Scale, and 7 of these (24 percent) reported resorting to some type of violence against their partners, and 6 (21 percent) reported that their partners had used violence against them in the previous year. Forty-two percent of the total sample reported at least one type of workplace violence; 14 percent had been assaulted, 4 percent raped, 10 percent robbed, and 35 percent had their trucks vandalized. Sixty-seven percent had feared for their personal safety while working during the previous year. Measures taken for personal safety included carrying a weapon, taking a self-defense class, and cautionary tactics regarding where they stopped to refuel and to rest. Future research in this area is discussed. 2 tables and 36 references