On Equal Pay Day, Help Survivors Achieve Safety and Independence

April 7, 2014

April 7, 2014 – For survivors of domestic violence, personal safety is closely linked to economic stability. In fact, the inability to support themselves and their children is one of the top reasons survivors stay in or return to an abusive relationship.

There are lots of ways we are working to increase survivors’ economic stability, and one of them – the Paycheck Fairness Act – is coming before the Senate for a vote! Like all women, survivors of domestic violence need equal pay initiatives like the Paycheck Fairness Act. As long as women are paid less than men, most survivors will have less ability to gain financial stability and independence.

Women, on average, still only receive 77 cents for every dollar paid to men – and the gap widens even further when you compare the wages earned by women of color to those of men. This pay gap over their lifetime also means women have smaller Social Security checks, lower savings, and less pension income — which seriously hinders their long-term financial security.

The Paycheck Fairness Act would require employers to demonstrate that pay differences between men and women are based on legitimate business reasons, and not based on sex. The Act would also end pay secrecy by prohibiting retaliation against employees who disclose salary information.

For all women – and for survivors of violence, who need fair pay to achieve economic security – take action now and tell your Senators that it’s time to close the pay gap.

NNEDV and The Allstate Foundation are partnering to end financial abuse and empower survivors of domestic violence. Check out The Moving Ahead Curriculum.

• Learn more about how we’re saying “No More” to financial abuse and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest for more information and ways you can get involved.