FRANKFORT, Ky — Between 20-60% of domestic violence victims lose their jobs due to reasons stemming from the abuse, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
What You Need To Know
- House Bill 78 would allow domestic violence survivors to claim unemployment benefits
- Logan, a domestic violence survivor, believes the bill would give people fleeing domestic violence situations time and support to rebuild their lives
- The Sunshine Center in Frankfort has seen an increase in domestic violence cases since the start of the pandemic
- Financial problems can trigger domestic violence
To try and alleviate the financial stress of those experiencing domestic violence, stalking and harassment, proposed House Bill 78 would allow victims to claim unemployment benefits.
Amber Logan is a wife, mother of four, CrossFit gym owner and the executive director of the Sunshine Center in Frankfort. The Sunshine Center is a domestic violence family abuse center that provides counseling services, parenting classes and supervised visitation.
“During the pandemic in Kentucky, domestic violence has increased by 10% and that’s not just physical abuse but emotional and financial abuse as well,” said Logan. “During the quarantine and then after, we've really provided much needed service to those families that experienced isolation and domestic violence and family abuse increase in the home.”
Logan spends her days at the center helping people who are in the shoes she once wore.
“I am a survivor of domestic violence,” said Logan.
Logan overcame some of the same challenges she helps hundreds of people overcome to rebuild their lives after abusive relationships. For some that could take weeks, and for others, years.
“A lot of it is about control and that means control over finances, whether a person can have a job, leave the home, emotional control,” said Logan. “When a woman or a man flees a domestic violence situation, a lot of times they don't have job references, they don't have good credit rating, and they're kind of stuck."
The center runs a pantry with infant necessities from diapers to car seats.
“Even that little bit helps to take some of the stress off families and stress and financial problems can also contribute to domestic violence,” said Logan.
Finding and paying for safe and secure child care is another challenge survivors face when they flee an abuser, especially one they depended on financially.
Logan is hopeful that Kentucky lawmakers will pass House Bill 78.
“The biggest impact it could make is to give the domestic violence victims time to heal to get their thoughts and their life together,” said Logan.
She believes victims need financial support to take care of their basic needs without having to worry about their abuser causing problems at their place of work.
“A lot of times employers don't want to deal with that and people can get fired for that very reason. A lot of times it's hard for domestic violence victims to get hired after violence for those same reasons,” said Logan. “Employers just don't want to have to take a chance on an altercation that might happen at work.”
Logan said the pandemic shined a light on the need for a bill of this kind.
“It is needed much more now than it has been, and it wasn't not needed before, but I think that a lot of things have come to the surface throughout this pandemic and this is definitely one of them,” said Logan.
Even if the bill is passed, Logan said she’ll still be there to help.
“It just was a calling for me to do more and help families more,” said Logan.
If you or someone you know is in a domestic violence situation, you can call 502-229-9762 for immediate help. The hotline is available 24/7.