Murray, Dingell, Moore reintroduce the SAFE for Survivors Act to Provide Economic Security for Domestic Violence Survivors

The Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) for Survivors Act of 2026 addresses economic barriers faced by survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, ensures 40 days of leave for victims-10 of which must be paid

Senator Murray: "Survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault should not be forced to choose between their health and safety and their paycheck"

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), and Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI-04) reintroduced the Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) for Survivors Act to establish provisions that promote the safety and security of survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, gender-based violence, and stalking.

"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."

"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 whether they choose to enter, remain, or take time off from the workplace."

"I know what it's like to flee an abuser," saidCongresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI-04) "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."

The 2026 SAFE for Survivors Act allows victims 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 for survivors, and establishes insurance discrimination protections to support survivors-ensuring that victims are not punished for their abusers' crimes.

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.

In addition to Senator Murray and Representative Dingell, the bill is also co-sponsored by Senators Baldwin, Blumenthal, Duckworth, Hirono, Padilla, Sanders, Shaheen, Van Hollen, and Wyden.

In addition to Congresswoman Moore, the House bill is co-sponsored by: Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Deborah Ross (NC-02).

Highlights of the 2026 SAFE Act include:

Increases Access to Leave

• The SAFE for Survivors Act allows victims 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 victims, access to these essential services can mean the difference between life and death.

Provides 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.

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 victims are not punished for their abusers' crimes.

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

Senator Murray last introduced this bill in 2024 alongside Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI-04). Senator Murray has long prioritized passing policies to help end domestic violence and support survivors. She has helped author major provisions and additions to the Violence Against Women Act over the years. In the most recent reauthorization of VAWA Senator Murray passed major provisions of her Survivors' Access to Supportive Care Act (SASCA).

In the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2026, Senator Murray secured a record $720 million-the highest funding level ever-for the Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women, rejecting steep cuts proposed by President Trump. That funding supports multiple competitive and formula grant programs that support training for police officers and prosecutors, state domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions, rape prevention programs, lethality assessment and homicide reduction initiatives, domestic violence hotlines, women's shelters, transitional housing, and rural support services.

As the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray also negotiated the bipartisan, bicameral Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2026 which provides additional resources to support survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. That includes $5 million to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office on Women's Health to support grants to states and Tribes to collect data and report on access to medical exams for sexual assault survivors, as part of implementation of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). This was funding and language Senator Murray championed to direct HHS to continue implementation of her Survivors' Access to Supportive Care Act (SASCA).

The full text of the legislation is HERE.

A one pager is HERE.

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