Policies to allow violent crime victims time off without losing their employment are a lifeline for victims and families to find safety, access healing services, cooperate with law enforcement, and remain financially stable, ultimately breaking cycles of violent crime OAKLAND – Today, the Alliance for Safety and Justice announced the release of “The Need for Paid Safe Leave & Model Legislative Language.” This new resource is the first product of the Safe Leave Working Group, of which Alliance for Safety and Justice is a proud member. “Safe leave policies provide leave to allow crime victims to seek justice and healing, find safety, and regain stability in their lives,” explained Aswad Thomas, vice president of the Alliance for Safety and Justice and national director of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice. “I think most people would be shocked to learn that victims of serious violent crimes are often expected to return to work immediately or risk losing their employment. Too often victims of unimaginable crimes are plunged into even worse circumstances without basic support like ‘safe leave' protections, leaving them vulnerable to PTSD, substance abuse disorders, homelessness, and revictimization.” The document is a resource for policymakers, advocates, and stakeholders that provides key context for the importance of paid safe leave. It also includes model policy language for providing paid safe leave. The Safe Leave Working Group is made up of state, national, and tribal experts and advocates from across policy spaces, based on the principle that paid, protected leave from work is an essential tool for the safety, agency, and economic security of survivors of all types of violence, including gender-based violence and harassment, family and domestic violence, and sexual violence. The Center for American Progress and Futures Without Violence co-chair the working group.

ABOUT ALLIANCE FOR SAFETY AND JUSTICE Alliance for Safety and Justice is a national organization that aims to win new safety priorities in states across the country. It partners with leaders to advance state reform through research, coalition building, education and advocacy. For more information, visit allianceforsafetyandjustice.org.