Survivors of domestic or sexual violence may soon get additional help when making changes to their lives.

The B.C. government announced today (March 3) that legislation is being introduced that will enable employees who are impacted by domestic or sexual violence, or are parents of a child impacted by this type of violence, to go on five days paid leave from their workplace.

The paid leave will allow employees to address their or their dependents’ needs, including attending medical, counselling, or other appointments, searching for a new home or school, and taking any other necessary changes.

Last year, amendments to the Employment Standards Act provided up to 10 days of unpaid, job-protected leave from work for those affected by sexual or domestic violence.

If the new amendments are passed, five of those days will be paid.

“People faced with domestic and sexual violence should not have to lose pay when dealing with the aftermath,” B.C. Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity Mitzi Dean stated in a news release.

Ending Violence Association of British Columbia executive director Tracy Porteous explained in a news release that job security is essential in supporting survivors.

“Although the road ahead may be the most difficult one that survivors will encounter, it can make a huge difference having informed and respectful people and processes in place that provide those harmed by these crimes the time to begin to heal,” Porteous stated. “In my 38 years working in this field, I have known too many survivors who have lost their jobs simply because they needed a few days away from work to deal with the aftermath of violence.”

This legislation was informed by input from approximately 6,300 British Columbians, stakeholder consultation sessions, and submissions from employers, business associations, and employee organizations during the autumn of 2019.

The consultation found that most employers, employees, and organizations support some paid leave for people affected by domestic or sexual violence.

In February, B.C. Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson came under criticism for describing domestic violence, in a reference to Premier John Horgan’s throne speech promise to provide these five days of paid leave, as a “tough marriage”. He later stated that he made a “wrong choice of words”.