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VAWA Reathorized, Finally!
February 28, 2013
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The press statement below from NNEDV provides additional background on the bill.
For Immediate Release
February 28, 2013
NNEDV Celebrates House Passage of VAWA
Looks Forward to President Obama Signing Bill into Law
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives took up the Senate-passed bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and passed this vital legislation by a bipartisan vote of 286-138, including 87 republicans voting in favor. The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) applauds the Members of Congress who led the fight and voted for VAWA's passage.
"Victims of violence and their advocates are breathing a collective sigh of relief today, knowing that this critical bill is on its way to President Obama for signature. We commend those who stood in support of victims and put the needs of those suffering from abuse ahead of partisan politics,” said Kim Gandy, President and CEO of NNEDV. “These Representatives, and the Senators who voted in favor of the bipartisan VAWA, have renewed our nation’s commitment to protecting victims of domestic and sexual violence.”
The legislation that passed today is a strong reauthorization that includes landmark protections for women on Tribal lands, improves protections for immigrant victims, ensures services for LGBT survivors, and adds important housing protections for victims. The bill also preserves and maintains core funding for life-saving victim services.
NNEDV was founded to help pass the original Violence Against Women Act in 1994 and NNEDV is honored to have been part of this next step forward.
“Advocates and survivors have been working on this bill for years and will be elated to watch the President sign it into law,” concluded Gandy.
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Contact:
Cindy Southworth, NNEDV
communications@nnedv.org or 202-543-5566
About VAWA
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is the cornerstone of our nation's response to domestic and sexual violence. VAWA creates and supports comprehensive, cost-effective responses to the pervasive and insidious crimes of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking. Since its enactment in 1994, VAWA has improved how our nation addresses these four crimes.
About NNEDV
NNEDV, a 501(c)(3) organization, is the leading voice for domestic violence victims and their allies. NNEDV members include all 56 of the state and territorial coalitions against domestic violence, including over 2,000 local programs. NNEDV has been a premiere national organization advancing the movement against domestic violence for almost 20 years, having led efforts among domestic violence advocates and survivors in urging Congress to pass the landmark Violence Against Women Act of 1994. To learn more about NNEDV, please visit www.nnedv.org.
