VAWA
2005 Signed into Law but remains unfunded (update as of 6/13/06)
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. Bills that fund VAWA will be marked up in the House
beginning on June 7th. Thus far, proposals for funding for FY 2007 fall
far short of the vision of VAWA 2005 to curb domestic and sexual violence,
protect our youth and create a safer society.
Massachusetts Delegation members, Reps. Ed Markey, Barney Frank, Richard
Neal, Martin Meehan, William Delahunt, James McGovern, John Tierney, Mike
Capuano, and Stephen Lynch demonstrated their support for critical funding
for sexual assault and domestic violence programs and services by sending
a letter to the Appropriations Committee requesting full funding of the
Violence Against Women Act in the federal fiscal year 2007 budget. Senators
Kennedy and Kerry have also expressed their support. We applaud our representatives
in Washington for their unwavering support.
Leading the effort among the Massachusetts Delegation, Congressman Edward
Markey notes, “We must maximize federal support for services to
respond to the needs of victims of crime and to hold offenders accountable.
The federal budget, as proposed, will have a devastating impact on our
ability to provide protection and services to victims. I am proud to stand
with Jane Doe Inc., its sixty member organizations throughout Massachusetts
and my colleagues from Massachusetts to speak out about these injustices
and advocate for full funding of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
of 2005.”
Advocates specifically aim to secure full funding for these services
• Sexual Assault Services Program at $50 million
• VAWA Stop Grant program at $225 million
• Rape Prevention and Education (RPE) programs at $80 million
• Rural domestic violence grants at $55 million
• Family Violence Prevention Services Act at $175 million
• Long-Term Stability/Housing for Victims at $10 million
Please take a few moments to call your Representative in Congress and
express your thanks for their commitment. Find your local official at:
http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php.
Background on VAWA:
The original Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) became law in 1994, and
its reauthorization in 2000 extended through FY 2005. 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. While
the original VAWA expired on September 30, 2005 programs are not in jeopardy
and funding will continue this year. 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.
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