This month is the National Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. The SAFE Act, also known as the Security and Empowerment for Survivors Act of 2024, was introduced in September by US Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI-04). The Act is designed to help provide economic security for survivors of gender-based violence, such that no survivor must "choose between their safety and their paycheck, job, or ability to support their family." The Act includes the following provisions:
Safeguard job security by allowing a victim to take 40 days of leave (with 10 of these days as paid days off), without penalty. The policy behind this provision is to allow a victim to attend to critical matters that could make a difference between life and death, from attending court, to securing alternative housing and developing a safety plan;
Prohibit discriminatory employment practices in relation to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault;
Mandate that employers provide reasonable accommodations to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault to help them cope and manage the aftermath of violence.
Require access to unemployment benefits for all domestic violence and sexual assault victims if they are terminated or must leave their employment due to the domestic violence and/or sexual assault; and
Prohibit insurance companies from denying or limiting insurance coverage for a victim based upon the abuse. The policy behind this provision is to ensure that victims are not punished for the abuser's crimes.
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