VAWA: Violence Against Women Act

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was reauthorized by unanimous consent by Congress in December 2005 and signed into law by President Bush on January 5, 2006. This landmark piece of legislation has sought to improve responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking in the United States. Thus far, proposals for funding for FY 2009 fall far short of the vision of VAWA 2005 to curb domestic and sexual violence, protect our youth, and create a safer society. Due to increases in demand for these services, in addition to funding cuts, these programs are not able to effectively accomplish what VAWA initially set out to achieve. VAWA finances support services to victims in need and maintains that our communities are safe. The Violence Against Women Act of 2005 includes many provisions to address sexual assault and includes new funding streams for direct services, sexual violence prevention, teens and youth programs, and housing opportunities for victims.

· VAWA is a critical piece of ending domestic violence. Studies have shown that there has been a significant decrease in domestic violence since VAWA was first enacted in 1994.

· VAWA programs support the work of law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, shelters, and other state and local programs that provide services for victims and families.

· VAWA has saved money while saving lives. By being proactive about domestic violence we were able to save at least $14.8 billion in averted social costs in the first 6 years since enactment.

Fy2009 Appropriations

· The Presidents Budget Request would cut VAWA by $120 million (30%) and would eliminate the individual VAWA grant programs, consolidating them into one competitive block grant. This would be greatly damaging to lifesaving response to victims, created and sustained by VAWA.

· We are urging Congress to once again refuse the Presidents block grants and cuts and fully fund VAWA programs at $683 million in the FY2009 Congressional Budget.

To find out more information on VAWA and other Federal Legislation please contact the National Network to End Domestic Violence.

JDI continues to work with our national partners the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) and the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV), on appropriations to ensure that current programs and newly authorized programs are funded.