Murray Introduces Legislation to Empower Domestic Violence Survivors, Break Down Economic Barriers

Statement

Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and U.S. Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) introduced the Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) Act of 2015. The SAFE Act builds on progress made through legislation like the Violence Against Women Act and the Affordable Care Act to continue raising awareness and breaking down the economic barriers that domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking create for survivors and their families.

The SAFE Act would ensure survivors who need services like medical attention and legal assistance can take safe leave from work, allow survivors who had to leave their job to receive unemployment insurance, protect survivors from being fired because of harassment by an abuser or because they requested protections at work to stay safe, and invest in a national awareness campaign to encourage a culture of prevention and support.

"As we work to combat the ongoing public health epidemic of domestic violence, we should be doing everything we can to break down economic barriers that survivors and their families face," said Senator Murray. "Survivors should not have to choose between economic security and safety. The SAFE Act would take critical steps to ensure survivors aren't trapped in abusive relationships for financial reasons, and can seek protections at work without fear of punishment."

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