Skills Against Violence Act of 2026
- Sponsor
- Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13]
- Committees
- Education and Workforce Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Sep 28, 2026
Bottom line
This bill aims to empower survivors of gender-based violence by providing them with critical employment assistance and supportive services to achieve economic independence and enhance their safety.
What it actually does
This bill establishes the Gender-Based Violence Survivor Workforce Program, authorizing the Director of the Office on Violence Against Women to award grants to states, local governments, Indian tribes, and non-profit organizations. These grants will fund programs that provide workforce development assistance and comprehensive support services to minors, adults, and their dependents who are survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, gender-based violence, trafficking, sexual harassment, and stalking.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue this program is crucial for helping survivors overcome economic barriers often exacerbated by abuse, enabling them to secure stable employment and rebuild their lives, thereby reducing their vulnerability to further violence. They would emphasize the comprehensive nature of support, including childcare, transportation, and mental health services, as essential for successful workforce re-entry and long-term stability.
Opponents contend
Potential critics might raise concerns about the scope or effectiveness of federal intervention in local service provision, or question the administrative overhead of a new grant program. Some might argue that existing programs could be expanded or better coordinated rather than creating a new one, or express concerns about potential for fraud or misuse of funds without robust oversight.
The bill is very short and easy to read, allowing ample time for detailed consideration of its provisions.
Section 2, adding new Section 41001(a) to Title IV of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994
Program Establishment and Grant Authority
This provision directs the Director of the Office on Violence Against Women, in consultation with other federal agencies, to award grants to eligible entities. These entities include states, local governments, Indian tribes, and non-profit organizations with a proven track record in addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The grants are intended to fund programs assisting minors, adults, and their dependents who are survivors of gender-based violence.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that establishing a dedicated federal program ensures a consistent and coordinated approach to addressing the economic needs of survivors, which are often overlooked in broader workforce development initiatives. They contend that direct grants to experienced organizations will effectively reach those most in need.
Critics contend
Critics might argue that creating a new, separate program could lead to fragmentation of services or duplication of efforts with existing workforce development or victim support programs. They might suggest that integrating survivor-specific services into broader, established frameworks would be more efficient.
Tradeoffs
The tension lies between creating a specialized, focused program for a vulnerable population versus integrating these services into existing, larger programs to avoid administrative overhead or potential overlap.
Section 2, adding new Section 41001(b)
Authorized Uses of Grant Funds
This section specifies how grant funds can be used. Permitted activities include helping survivors secure employment through counseling and training, conducting outreach to inform survivors of available services, connecting survivors with supportive employers, and providing comprehensive support services. These support services encompass child care, disability care, elder care, transportation, professional clothing and equipment, legal services, and gender-based violence and mental health counseling.
Section 2, adding new Section 41001(d)
Program Effectiveness Reporting
This provision mandates that grant recipients annually report to the Director of the Office on Violence Against Women on the effectiveness of their programs. The reports must include quantitative data such as the number of survivors supported, those seeking/receiving career services and training, and those entering employment. It also requires a survivor evaluation component, including satisfaction surveys. The Director is then required to submit biennial summary reports to Congress.
Section 2, adding new Section 41001(f)
Funding Authorization
This section authorizes the appropriation of $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out the Gender-Based Violence Survivor Workforce Program. This authorization sets the maximum amount that Congress can choose to appropriate for the program annually over the specified five-year period.
The bill defines 'survivor' broadly to include individuals who have experienced domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, gender-based violence, trafficking, sexual harassment, and stalking.
Section 2, adding new Section 41001(e)
Why it matters:It is standard legislative practice to define terms in a dedicated section to ensure clarity and consistency throughout the statute, rather than embedding definitions within operative clauses.
Case for: Supporters would argue this broad definition ensures comprehensive coverage for all individuals affected by various forms of gender-based harm, reflecting an understanding of the interconnectedness of these experiences and preventing gaps in service eligibility.
Case against: Critics might argue that a broad definition could dilute the program's focus, making it harder to target specific needs or measure effectiveness for distinct survivor populations, or that it could strain resources if the eligible population becomes too large without commensurate funding.
Estimated impact: Significantly expands the potential beneficiary pool beyond traditional domestic violence and sexual assault victims, encompassing a wider range of individuals experiencing gender-based harm.
The bill incorporates the definition of 'Support services' by reference to section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
Section 2, adding new Section 41001(b)(4)
Why it matters:It is standard legislative practice to avoid redundancy and rely on existing, comprehensive definitions in related statutes, especially when the intent is to align with established federal programs.
Case for: Proponents would argue this streamlines the bill, leveraging an established and comprehensive definition of support services from a major workforce development law, ensuring consistency and breadth without making the bill text excessively long. This also allows for flexibility as WIOA definitions may evolve.
Case against: Critics might argue that relying on an external definition makes the bill less transparent for a casual reader, requiring them to consult another statute to fully understand the scope of services. They might also question if all WIOA support services are perfectly aligned with the specific needs of gender-based violence survivors.
Estimated impact: Expands the range of permissible support services beyond those explicitly listed in the bill, potentially covering a very wide array of needs for survivors, such as housing assistance, health services, and financial literacy training, depending on the full WIOA definition.