Universal-Womens-accesss-to-justice-Publications-Practitioners-Guide-Series-2016-ENG

V
WOMEN’S ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE 185
“Availability, in appropriate cases, of professionally run
supervised visitation centres;
“A survivor of violence who has acted in self-defence,
or fled in order to avoid further violence, should not be
classified as a perpetrator, or have a negative
inference drawn against her, in custody and visitation
decisions; and child abuse and neglect proceedings
should target the perpetrators of violence and
recognize that the protection of children is often best
achieved by protecting their mothers.” 503
Employment Law
Legislation should protect the employment rights of women
subjected to gender-based violence, including from
discrimination or abuse from other employees as a result of the
woman’s abuse. Women should not be penalized where the
violence has impacted on their work, for example where work
has been missed because of healthcare, legal proceedings or
access to other services. 504
Housing Law
Women subjected to violence are often forced to remain in
situations where they are vulnerable to abuse due to an
inability to find appropriate alternative accommodation.
Legislation should prohibit discrimination in housing against
survivors of violence, including by prohibiting landlords from
evicting a tenant, or refusing to rent to a prospective tenant,
because she is a survivor of violence. The law should permit a
survivor to break her lease without penalty in order to seek
new housing. States should consider providing specialized
assistance, for example, access to affordable housing, to
women victims of violence. 505
503
Ibid, page 55.
504
Ibid, page 32
505
Ibid, page 33.