On December 16, 1999, the Wisconsin Legislature enacted a new law in the area of Unemployment Compensation that benefits victims of domestic abuse. The new law provides an exception under 1999 Wisconsin Act 15, Section 108.04(7), for victims of domestic abuse who leave their employment.

Under Section 108.04(7), victims of domestic abuse who voluntarily leave their employment will no longer be treated as if they quit their job under Wisconsin law, provided that they do all of the following:

1. Terminate their work due to domestic abuse, concerns about personal safety or harassment, concerns about the safety or harassment of their family members who reside with them, or concerns about the safety or harassment of other household members; AND

• "Domestic Abuse" means physical abuse, or a threat of physical abuse, by an adult family or adult household member against another family or household member; by an adult person against his or her spouse or former spouse; or by an adult person with whom the person has a child in common.

• "Family Member" means a spouse, parent, child, or person related by consanguinity to another person.

• "Household Member" means a person who is currently or formerly residing in a place of abode with another person.

3. Demonstrate to the department that the order has been or is reasonably likely to be violated.