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Sexual Violence and the Workplace: Information for Advocates

Sexual violence impacts survivors in many different ways. Some survivors may not recognize their employment or economic security is related to their experiences of sexual violence. This section provides advocates resources on how to connect a survivors sexual violence to workplace problems or economic insecurity, and the legal rights of survivors related to employment. The resources below provide advocates with information on connecting survivors to benefits that may assist them financially.

Assisting Survivors

Survivor's Legal Options

Economic Security

Additional Resources for Advocates

Assisting Survivors

Sexual Violence & The Workplace: An Advocates Guide to Prevention (16 p.) by NSVRC (2013). Sexual violence permeates our society, including the workplace. Using the Spectrum of prevention this technical assistance guide provides advocates with information about the connections between sexual violence and employment and to offer possible prevention strategies.

Know Your Rights: Safety Planning in the Workplace: Protecting Yourself and Your Job (4 p.) by Legal Momentum (2005). This document provides workplace safety planning information.

Sexual Violence & the Workplace: Bulletin (8 p.) by National Sexual Violence Resource Center (2013). This bulletin provides sexual assault counselors and advocates with information and tools to help survivors identify how their sexual violence experiences could impact their employment and how to respond to their workplace needs.

Sexual Violence and the Workplace: Making the Connections (webinar recording) by National Sexual Violence Resource Center (2013). This webinar recording was presented by Mandy Mundy from NOVA, Jessie Mindlin from Victim Rights Law Center, and Maya Raghu from Futures Without Violence. It highlights how advocates and preventionists can work with employers around this issue, legal issues surrounding sexual violence and the workplace, and working with labor unions and larger systems change.

Survivor’s Legal Options

Sexual Harassment and Assault in the Workplace: A Basic Guide for Attorneys in Obtaining Relief for Victims under Federal Employment Law (19 p.) by American University Washington College of Law, Legal Momentum, & National Immigrant Women’s Advocacy Project (2013). This document provides information about the federal legal options survivors have after experience sexual violence in the workplace.

Sexual Harassment At Work (webpage) by Equal Rights Advocates (2013). This factsheet provides information on what sexual harassment is and survivors legal rights if they are experiencing sexual harassment at work. The factsheet is also available in Spanish.

Know Your Rights: On The Road from Welfare to Work Sexual Harassment (3 p.) by National Partnership for Women & Families (2000). This document provides information on what sexual harassment is and what survivors can do if they experience sexual harassment.

Domestic Violence or Sexual Assault at Work (4 p.) by Legal Momentum (2005). This document provides information on the legal rights of survivors at work.

Economic Security

Sexual Violence & Economic Security: Overview of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (24 p.) by NSVRC (2013). Sexual violence and economic insecurity are linked. Poverty and unemployment are risk factors for perpetration and victimization of sexual violence. Sexual violence and economic insecurity are intricately linked. This guide is to support advocates in connecting survivors to the Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Program and ensuring that the TANF program is responsive to the needs of sexual violence victims.

The Victim Advocate’s Guide to Safety and Economic Security for Victims of Violence Against Women (48 p.) by Wider Opportunities for Women (2014). This document assists advocates in working with survivors to pursue economic security after sexual violence, domestic violence or stalking.

Not Enough: What TANF Offers Family Violence Victims ( 39 p.) by Legal Momentum and National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (2010). This report discusses what TANF is, and what the Family Violence Option is, and how it may be an important and necessary resource for many sexual assault survivors.

Family Violence Option: State by State Summary (29 p.) by Legal Momentum (2004). This document provides a state summary of the Family Violence Option that may be available to survivors.

Know Your Rights: Eligibility For Unemployment Insurance Benefits (4 p.) by Legal Momentum (2005). This document provides answers to commonly asked questions on unemployment benefits for sexual violence survivors.

Additional Resources for Advocates

Sexual Violence & The Workplace: Resource List (4 p.) by NSVRC (2013). Advocates can use the resources in this document with working with employers to improve workplace prevention and response to sexual violence. These resources can be shared with employers to help inform their policies.

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