Background & Resources
Higher Ground: NCJW’s Domestic Violence Campaign champions economic independence for women as a way to help eliminate domestic violence and create a more stable financial foundation for all women to build upon. Help ensure that no woman has to choose between financial security and personal safety by taking part in the Higher Ground campaign.
Get the Facts
Higher Ground focuses on eliminating the financial barriers faced by victims of domestic violence. Download the fact sheet and set of frequently asked questions to become an informed advocate and read more about NCJW’s stance.
Take Action:
- Support a Strong Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act
For more than 17 years,VAWA programs have helped state and local authorities keep communities safe while supporting victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The continuation and improvement of these programs is critical to maintaining the significant progress made in increased reporting and decreased deaths during the time VAWA has been in effect. In particular, NCJW urges Congress to renew and strengthen VAWA by providing better access to law enforcement for women in Indian country, better access for immigrant women who fear deportation if they report violence, and better access for LGBT victims who face barriers to services.
- Promote Safety in the Workplace
Victims of domestic violence face serious challenges in the workplace. Thankfully, however, there is a lot advocates and employers can do to keep workplaces safe and productive in the face of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. For more information, download NCJW’s newest factsheet “Domestic Violence and Your Workplace: What you Need to Know” or listen to a recording of our Domestic Violence Awareness Month distance learning call. Then, get ideas for action with a new resource: “Three Ways to Education and Engage Others about Domestic Violence in the Workplace.“ - Support Paid Sick Days
Working people shouldn’t be forced to risk their jobs to take care of themselves or their families. Yet, nearly four-in-ten private-sector workers — and nearly eight-in-ten of the lowest income workers — do not have a single paid sick day to care for themselves or a family member when they are ill. The Healthy Families Act would guarantee a minimum number of paid sick days so that workers don’t have to choose between going to work and caring for themselves or a sick family member. Importantly, the bill would also allow victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking to use paid sick days to seek assistance. NCJW believes that the Healthy Families Act is both a critical support for working families and an essential safeguard for victims of domestic violence whose safety often depends on their level of financial security. Download NCJW’s ‘Get Well Soon’ Card to urge decision-makers in your community to support paid sick days.
Engage Local Service Providers
For Higher Ground to be successful, it is essential that NCJW and domestic violence service providers work together. Download the Higher Ground Needs Assessment tool and use it to help strengthen your relationships with service providers and identify how Higher Ground can be most effective in your community.
Go Further
Learn more about how the Higher Ground Campaign’s issues fit into NCJW’s public policy agenda.