CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- As Illinois prepares to ring in the new year, employers and employees should know about a new law taking effect.
The Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) was amended to create the Violent Crime Victims’ Leave Act, which allows employees who are victims of violence or who have family or household members who are victims of violence to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per any 12-month period.
“It's absolutely necessary for people to be able to repair from a violent incident,” said Amanda Pyron, Executive director of The Network, a non-profit agency in Chicago that advocates against domestic violence. “The healing process takes weeks, months, even years at times.”
The law allows survivors to seek medical aid, legal assistance and counseling services without fear of losing their job.
“When survivors are creating safety plans and planning to leave, they really need to know that they have economic security,” said Pyron. “You can't rent an apartment without a job, you can't get a car, you can't open a bank account often if you don't have a guaranteed form of income.”
The amendment also prohibits employers from discriminating against employees who are victims of violence or who have family or household members who are victims of violence.
Pyron told WBBM she’s encouraged by the new legislation, but said the next step is making employers and employees aware.
“I've talked to many of our board members who are CEO's and CFO's and heads of HR, and they don't know about VESSA for their employees, so I think we need to invest in services and support, so that survivors of all different types of crime have access to mental health counseling and treatment during this 12 week period.”
The amendment also prohibits employers from discriminating against employees who are victims of violence or who have family or household members who are victims of violence.
Related
