Welfare Reform Should Not Include an Exemption for Victims of Domestic Violence (From Domestic Violence: Opposing Viewpoints, P 160-163, 2000, Tamara L. Roleff, ed. -- See NCJ-185753)

• NCJ Number: 185774
• Author(s): Sally L. Satel
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 4 pages
• Sale Source: Greenhaven Press
• Publication Format: Book (Hardbound)
• Publication Type: Collected Work
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Opposing Viewpoints Series

Annotation

Domestic violence advocates are urging States to adopt the Family Violence Option (FVO) to exempt battered women from time limit restrictions enacted under the welfare reform law passed in 1996.

Abstract

The author indicates, however, the FVO is not necessary since the current welfare law already exempts people such as victims of domestic violence who need more time to get off welfare. Specifically, the welfare law makes provisions for women who can legitimately show they need more time to get off welfare, including domestic abuse victims. The author asserts an amendment that exempts abused women from welfare's time limit restrictions may cause the partners of these women to persist in beating them in an attempt to continue receiving welfare benefits. Further, the FVO amendment contains a broad definition of domestic violence and implies that virtually every woman who wants to can qualify for a temporary waiver from her work requirements.