For many people, domestic violence does not exist solely in the home. Abusers who are especially controlling follow their victims around, threatening them and sometimes others. One place that can be particularly frightening for domestic abuse victims is the workplace.

The workplace is somewhere a person goes every day, often at the same times. Many abusers know where their victims work, and some follow them there. One Miami woman expressed the fear she experienced saying, "I'd go to work and he'd follow me, standing outside my office and watching the boss ... you don't know what could happen."

Currently, people in this difficult situation have limited options. They could leave their job, but that would mean losing income -- something few people can afford to do. If they stay at work, however, their safety remains at risk. Because of this dilemma, several Florida activists and domestic violence survivors are fighting to get a bill passed that would allow victims of domestic violence to collect unemployment benefits if they need to leave their jobs to stay safe.

The bill is being sponsored by a senator from Miami Gardens and a representative from Orlando. The representative, an attorney, said the government needs to help these people who can easily become targets when attackers know where they work.

In recent years, domestic violence has infiltrated the workplace in several Florida incidents. In two incidents, the victims were killed. Across the country, 32 other states have similar legislation in place. It will be interesting to see what Florida legislators decide.

Source: Miami Herald, "Victims lobby for workplace domestic-abuse protection," Melissa Sanchez, Jan. 10, 2012