NOW and the National Task Force on Violence Against Women are playing an instrumental role in developing and backing the Violence Against Women Act of 1998 . Other major elements of the bill address the needs of battered women in the workplace, focus on sexual assault on campus and in the military, establish new programs for victims services and fund training for judges.
Studies show that a place of employment is one of the most dangerous places for women.
Former partners track them down there, stalk, harass and abuse them on the job. One innovative approach in the bill offers tax incentives to encourage employers to establish programs to assist survivors of domestic violence. Another amends the Occupational Health and Safety Act to require employers to take steps to maintain workplaces safe from violence. A key item in the bill requires that workers compensation plans include coverage for physical and psychiatric injuries resulting from domestic violence. Employers are also encouraged to provide time off for survivors to attend court hearings and receive medical care.