New York State Attorney General Letitia James is highlighting legal protections for domestic violence victims, particularly as they relate to housing and employment, amid growing concerns about the economic fallout of abuse.
Under New York State Human Rights Law, employers are prohibited from discriminating against individuals based on their status as domestic violence victims. This includes protections against unfair treatment in hiring, firing, job advancement, and exit requests. Victims who can provide documentation of abuse and demonstrate a reasonable belief that continued employment would jeopardize their safety may similarly be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits, according to the Attorney General’s office.
The New York City Human Rights Law and a similar law in Westchester County extend these protections, requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations to victims of domestic violence, sex offenses, or stalking, unless doing so would create undue hardship for the employer. These accommodations can range from schedule adjustments to changes in work location.
Housing protections are also a key component of the state’s efforts. New York law explicitly prohibits landlords from refusing to rent to domestic violence victims or denying them access to federally subsidized housing vouchers. Tenants experiencing domestic violence have the right to request emergency lock changes, a provision outlined in New York Real Property Law § 227-c. Landlords are required to comply with such requests if provided with a valid order of protection and a written request, changing the locks within 24 hours or accepting a new key if the tenant arranges the change themselves, unless the abuser is named in the order of protection.
New York tenants may be able to terminate their leases early without penalty if remaining in their current housing poses a risk to their safety or the safety of their children. This requires providing the landlord with written notice and supporting legal documentation, such as an order of protection.
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) also provides housing protections for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, regardless of sex. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers resources and guidance on these rights, including forms for documenting occupancy and emergency transfer plans.
The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (NY DHCR) oversees tenant protections in rental housing, and resources are available through organizations like the New York City Commission on Human Rights and Crime Victims Help NY to assist individuals in understanding and exercising their rights.
