Lucille Roybal-Allard: “to help address domestic violence in our country, I rise to announce the re-introduction of the Security and Financial…”

“to help address domestic violence in our country, I rise to announce the re-introduction of the Security and Financial Empowerment Act, or as it is better known, the SAFE Act. Domestic violence is a personal and social tragedy that negatively impacts all of our society. On average, every day in our country, more than three women are murdered by their husband or boyfriend, and nearly one-third of American women report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives. The physical and psychological consequences of domestic violence are exacerbated by the less obvious economic consequences. For example, one of the key reasons survivors stay in or return to an abusive environment is because they are financially dependent upon their abuser to provide for them and their children. As a result of the abuse, employed women often lose their jobs due to frequent tardiness or absenteeism or because their abuser stalks and harasses them at work. To help break this cycle of violence, I have introduced the SAFE Act with representative Ted Poe. The SAFE Act would provide employed survivors of domestic violence with greater employment protections and increased economic stability.”