The Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) for Survivors Act will take critical steps to ensure economic security of survivors of gender-based violence. Introduced by Senator Murray (D-WA), Representative Dingell (D-MI-6), and Representative Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), the SAFE for Survivors Act is an important lifeline to prevent violence and enhance safety if it occurs.
No survivor should have to choose between their safety, their job, their paycheck, or their ability to provide for and keep their family safe.
Specifically, the bill would:
Increase Access to Leave
- The SAFE for Survivors Act allows victims to take time off from work—40 days of leave, ten of which must be paid—without penalty in order to contend with the consequences of gender-based violence, including attending court appearances, seeking legal assistance, and getting help with safety planning. For too many victims, access to these essential services can mean the difference between life and death.
Enhance Workplace Protections
- The SAFE for Survivors Act prohibits discriminatory employment practices in connection with survivors of domestic or sexual violence and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to assist survivor dealing with the aftermath of violence.
Increase Access to Unemployment Benefits
- The SAFE for Survivors Act allows victims in every state access to unemployment benefits if they are fired or forced to leave their job because of abuse.
Increase Insurance Protections for Survivors
- The SAFE for Survivors Act prohibits denial or restriction of insurance coverage based on the status of the applicant or insured regarding abuse or abuse related claims, ensuring that victims are not punished for their abusers’ crimes.
