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U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) reintroduced the Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) for Survivors Act to promote the safety and security of survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, gender-based violence, and stalking. The legislation would allow survivors to take time off from work without fear of penalty, requires that employers provide reasonable accommodations to assist survivors dealing with the aftermath of violence, provides access to unemployment benefits, and establishes insurance discrimination protections to support survivors–ensuring they are not punished for their abusers’ crimes.

“When we talk about domestic violence, we must recognize how many survivors are financially tied to their abuser, which ends up being a significant reason they stay with an abusive partner,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “Survivors have unique needs in their journey to safety and economic independence, and this bill will support their ability to provide for their families.”

Highlights of the SAFE for Survivors Act include:

Increases Access to Leave

• The SAFE for Survivors Act allows survivors to take time off from work—five weeks of leave, two weeks 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, access to these essential services can mean the difference between life and death.

Provides access to unemployment benefits

• The SAFE for Survivors Act allows survivors in every state access to unemployment benefits if they are fired or forced to leave their job because of abuse.

Enhances 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 survivors dealing with the aftermath of violence.

Provides Insurance Protections to Support 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 survivors are not punished for their abusers’ crimes.

“Survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault should not be forced to choose between their health and safety and their paycheck,” said Senator Murray. “But right now, too many survivors, who often need to put significant time, energy, and financial resources into leaving their abusers, can’t afford to miss a day of work—this is heartbreaking and wrong. We must do everything we can to change this unjust reality—because survivors deserve some basic financial security to give them the flexibility to leave a dangerous situation. The SAFE for Survivors Act would take a huge step toward ensuring no one is stuck between worrying for their safety and making ends meet.”

In addition to Congresswoman Dingell, the legislation is co-led in the House by Representative Gwen Moore (D-WI-04).

“I know what it’s like to flee an abuser. In a life-or-death situation, no survivor should have to worry about money or a job. We need the SAFE for Survivors Act so that survivors can have economic protections they need as they work to rebuild their lives,” said Congresswoman Moore.

Gender-based violence is prevalent in the United States, with almost 1 in 4 women experiencing physical violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime, and more than 1 in 5 women reporting an attempted or completed rape during their lifetime. Individuals who experience intimate partner violence, sexual assault, gender-based violence, and stalking often find that abuse and threats follow them from home into the workplace. This type of violence has direct consequences for survivors’ safety and economic security, which can affect their ability to recover, provide for their families, and remove themselves from dangerous situations.

The legislation is endorsed by National Partnership for Women amp; Families, The National Domestic Violence Hotline, Just Solutions, Legal Momentum, Center for American Progress, Futures Without Violence, A Better Balance, Women's Center amp; Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, Jewish Women International, Center for Survivor Agency and Justice, Legal Voice, Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Congresswoman Dingell last introduced this bill in 2024 alongside Senator Murray and Congresswoman Moore. Since entering the House of Representatives, Congresswoman Dingell has been a champion of policies supporting domestic violence and sexual assault survivors, including the Take It Down Act, Justice in Sentencing for Survivors Act, Safe Vehicle Access for Survivors Act, and Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act. Congresswoman Dingell also serves as co-chair of the Bipartisan Working Group to End Domestic Violence.

The full text of the legislation is HERE.

A one pager is HERE.