Rep. Sykes Introduces Safer Homes And Families Act To Protect Survivors Of Domestic Violence And Keep Families Safe From Abuse
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) introduced the Safer Homes and Families Act, a comprehensive legislative package consisting of four bills to prevent domestic violence, protect and empower survivors, and keep families safe.
“Every American deserves to live a life that is safe, secure, and free from abuse. But too many Americans from all backgrounds and ages face domestic violence in communities across the country,” said Rep. Sykes. “As the Congresswoman for Ohio’s 13th Congressional District, it is my duty to ensure our neighbors, friends, and family members can live safely in our neighborhoods. The Safer Homes and Families Act will empower and protect survivors of domestic violence, hold abusers accountable, and ultimately, save lives. Our communities are stronger when everyone is safe from violence.”
The Safer Homes and Families Act would protect families from domestic violence by:
- Banning the use of electronic devices to track people without their consent;
- Expanding access to Social Security spousal benefits for individuals who divorce due to domestic abuse;
- Training healthcare providers to better identify and treat individuals who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, or dating violence; and
- Allowing individuals who are experiencing dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault to break their lease without adverse costs.
Nationally, one in three women and one in four men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. In 2022, Ohio suffered 112 domestic violence fatalities from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, 17 of which were children. Additionally, 1,359 incidents of domestic violence were reported in Summit County, and 1,527 in Stark County.
A longtime advocate for protecting survivors of domestic violence, Rep. Sykes’ work on domestic violence issues has earned bipartisan praise and resulted in her priority legislation, Ohio H.B. 1, to be signed into law when she was serving in the Ohio House of Representatives. Ohio H.B. 1 gives victims of dating violence the ability to obtain civil protective orders against their attacker.
More information about the four bills included in the Safer Homes and Families Act is below.
Stop Electronic Stalking Act
While Bluetooth tagging devices are intended to track property, not people, crimes have been reported across the country involving the use of Bluetooth tagging devices to stalk victims, specifically younger women and women being stalked by former spouses or relationship partners.
Currently, federal stalking law does not explicitly ban unwanted location tracking using an electronic device. Therefore, the Stop Electronic Stalking Act amends the federal criminal code’s definition of stalking to codify that the unauthorized tracking of an individual by a GPS device qualifies as stalking to prevent victimization and crack down on bad actors who use tracking devices for nefarious purposes.
This legislation is part of Rep. Sykes’ continued efforts to ensure no American is tracked electronically without their consent. In July 2023, the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee voted to pass Rep. Sykes’ amendment to support research to stop unauthorized electronic tracking. Additionally, while serving in the Ohio House of Representatives, Rep. Sykes introduced Ohio H.B. 672, bipartisan legislation to prohibit a person from knowingly installing a tracking device or tracking application on another person’s property without the other person’s consent.
Fair Social Security for Domestic Violence Survivors Act
Survivors of domestic abuse shouldn’t be penalized financially when they leave an abusive marriage. The Fair Social Security for Domestic Violence Survivors Act would expand access to Social Security spousal benefits for individuals who divorce due to domestic abuse.
Currently, couples must be married for at least 10 years to be eligible for spousal Social Security benefits, inadvertently incentivizing individuals to remain in unsafe relationships. The Fair Social Security for Domestic Violence Survivors Act lowers this minimum marital threshold to five years.
Better Care For Domestic Violence Survivors Act
Because victims of domestic violence visit healthcare providers for treatment of their injuries as well as routine medical care, healthcare providers are in a unique position to combat abuse.
The Better Care for Domestic Violence Survivors Act would provide $50 million ($10 million per year for five years) for a pilot program to train healthcare providers in evidence-based, trauma-informed techniques to identify and treat individuals who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, or dating violence. This vital training would give healthcare providers the tools and training they need to effectively intervene in situations of abuse, ultimately saving survivors’ lives.
Break Free From Domestic Violence Act
The Break Free From Domestic Violence Act would allow individuals who are experiencing dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault to break their lease with a public housing entity or a private landlord without adverse costs, such as being forced to pay the remaining months’ rent or facing retaliatory threats from the landlord. This legislation would help ensure the physical safety of individuals experiencing domestic violence, especially those without the financial resources to pay the fees associated with breaking a lease early.
If you or someone you know is experiencing violence, you can call the?National Domestic Violence Hotline?at?800-799-7233?for free, 24/7 support.