SAFE Act Will Help Victims of Domestic Violence Stay Safe

October 27, 2015

The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) thanks Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard and Senator Patty Murray for their reintroduction of the SAFE Act. The Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) Act helps to ensure the economic security and safety of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking lose nearly eight million days of paid work each year—the equivalent of more than 32,000 full-time jobs. Abusers often use economic necessities like withholding rent, health care, and child care to exert control over their victims. It is critical that victims have flexibility to take necessary time off of work, such as to obtain a restraining order or to appear in court, and to have protections in place to increase their physical, emotional, and financial safety.

Among other protections, the SAFE Act prevents the firing of victims because of harassment by an abuser or because they requested safety accommodations at work, prohibits insurance discrimination against victims of violence, and allows employees who must leave their jobs due to violence to apply for unemployment benefits.

“It is critical that those suffering from violence be able to protect their jobs and financial security so that they can seek safety. We thank Senator Murray and Congresswoman Roybal-Allard for their continued commitment to protecting survivors.” said Kim Gandy, President and CEO of NNEDV.

The SAFE Act takes critical steps to ensure that survivors aren’t trapped in an abusive relationship for financial reasons. NNEDV supports economic justice for survivors through a multi-pronged approach. NNEDV and its member programs have benefited from a ten year partnership with The Allstate Foundation, which works to help survivors of domestic violence move from short-term safety to long-term security through financial education and asset building.

NNEDV, a 501(c)(3) organization, is a leading voice for domestic violence victims and their allies. Its members include the 56 state and territorial coalitions against domestic violence. It works closely with them to understand the needs of domestic violence victims and advocacy programs. NNEDV has been a premiere national organization advancing the movement against domestic violence for years. To learn more about NNEDV, please visit nnedv.org.