April, 19, 2012 - New York, NY – Legal Momentum, one of the nation’s oldest women’s rights organizations, has congratulated the Obama Administration for directing federal agencies to create guidelines for assisting federal employees who are survivors of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault.

“This is an important and welcome directive,” said Legal Momentum President Elizabeth Grayer. “Every year, our economy loses billions of dollars due to the significant healthcare costs and diminished productivity that result from domestic violence. All workplaces should be equipped to assist employees in seeking help for domestic violence. By aiding survivors, employers make workplaces safer and more productive. As the nation’s largest employer, the federal government is leading by example.”

Over the years, Legal Momentum has fought for a number of protections for survivors of domestic violence. After Congress reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in 2005, Legal Momentum was a leader in the creation of the National Workplace Resource Center (NWRC) to help employers respond to the presence of both domestic violence survivors and perpetrators in the workplace (information about NWRC is available at www.workplacesrepond.org).

“Statistics indicate that a significant number of women and men have been the victims of intimate partner violence at some point in their lives,” Ms. Grayer said. “We commend the Administration for its action today and urge the Senate to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act promptly.”