Gender violence is a violent act that is committed because of a person's sex. It can also be a threat of a violent act. Some examples of gender violence are:

• Sexual assault
• Sexual abuse
• Domestic violence
• Dating violence

Gender violence can happen to anyone. There are some medical, legal and housing remedies for people who are victims of gender violence.

Emergency Treatment for Sexual Assault Victims Act 

Victims of sexual assault have certain rights when they first come to the hospital. Doctors and hospitals that give emergency treatment must follow these rules. If you need emergency treatment for sexual assault, you have the right to get:

• Information about emergency birth control
• Emergency birth control (the morning after pill) and medication for sexually transmitted diseases
• Information about sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, and infection
• Medical exams and any lab tests that will ensure your health and collect evidence for police investigations (a sexual evidence kit)
• Tracking information for your rape kit
• Instructions about any follow-up exams you should have
• Instructions about the medication you need
• Referrals for counseling
• Medical advocacy services provided by a rape crisis counselor

You do not need a parent or guardian to get treatment.

Gender Violence Act 

If you are a victim of gender violence, you can sue anyone, including businesses, who was involved in the act and get:

• Money for costs you paid because of the violence
• Money for emotional distress
• Money so that the people who harmed you are punished
• Lawyer fees
• Court costs
• Anything else the court thinks you should get

Safe Homes Act 

If you are a renter, you can end your lease early and leave if anyone in your home is or will be a victim of:

• Domestic violence
• Dating violence
• Stalking
• Sexual violence

Also, if you are the victim, or live with the victim, and feel you are in immediate danger, you can stay in your rental housing even if your landlord wants to evict you. 

To end your lease early and to leave your home, you must:

• Tell your landlord in writing that you were, or are in danger of being, a victim of violence or stalking in your home; 
• Do this before, or no more than 3 days after, leaving your home; and
• Do this no more than 60 days after the incident occurred (in the case of sexual violence).

You can end your lease if you feel threatened anywhere on the property. It does not have to be inside of your home. So, it can be the:

• Laundry room
• Backyard
• Parking lot
• Hallways
• Front and back entrances to the property

Your landlord must change your locks within 48 hours after:

• You give notice;
• You show evidence of violence in your home; and
• All members of your household agree to have the locks changed.

Your landlord does not have to pay for your locks so that you may be charged. But if your landlord refuses to let you change your locks, you can go to court, and a judge can order your landlord to change the locks. If you live in Section 8 housing, you are protected under the Safe Homes Act. You are not protected if you live in any other type of public housing.

Privacy of Adult Victims of Criminal Sexual Offenses Act

If you are the survivor of a sexual offense, a court may prohibit a person or agency from disclosing your identity in court. The court will consider:

• Your best interests, and
• Whether stopping others from disclosing your name would “further a compelling state interest.”

If a court chooses to keep a person or agency from disclosing your identity, there has to be a hearing. This gives each party a chance to make their case and be heard.

You also have a right to not have your name disclosed in certain public documents.

Time off work

Learn more about taking time off work to get help with domestic abuse.