Intimate Partner Violence and Economic Security

Limited research has examined state legislation on employment protection policies for victims of intimate partner violence. A first step in determining how and whether employment protection policies are effective in shielding victims of partner violence from the economic consequences associated with this social problem is to identify which states have implemented employment protection legislation. To this end, this study will conduct a systematic content analysis of state employment protection policies for victims of intimate partner violence. The study will identify which states have statutes to protect employment of intimate partner violence victims, and to determine the parameters of the employment protection laws among states that have passed such legislation. Preliminary results suggest that states vary significantly in whether they have employment protection policies and the intent of the policies. Findings from this study have important implications for employed victims, victims' advocates, workplaces and state policy.