VAWA Reauthorization Reintroduced

January 23, 2013

Please join JDI in thanking U.S. Senators Leahy (D-VA), Crapo (R-ID) Ayotte (R-NH), Bennett (D-CO), Collins (R-ME), Coons (D-DE), Durbin (D-IL), Kirk (R-IL), Klobuchar (D-MN), McCaskill (D-MO), Mikulski (D-MD), Murkowski (R-AK), Shaheen (D-NH), Udall (D-CO) for swiftly reintroducing bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).  U.S. Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI) and John Conyers (D-MI) and 150 co-sponsors introduced a companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.  The bill numbers are: S.47 in the Senate and H.R. 11 in the House.

The legislation closely mirrors their bipartisan bill that passed the Senate with a significant (68-31) margin last spring.  

Kim Gandy, President and CEO of NNEDV (National Network to End Domestic Violence), and Monika Johnson Hostler, Board President of NAESV (National Alliance to End Sexual Violence), will speak at a press conference on January 23, 2012, with Senators Leahy and Crapo.

The following is an excerpt from a press release issued by NNEDV on January 22, 2013:

Although NNEDV was disappointed over the failure to reauthorize VAWA in the 112th Congress, advocates were heartened by the substantive discussions on the last Congress’ bill near the end of that session. Advocates look forward to continuing to work with both the House and the Senate to promptly pass a bipartisan VAWA that safely and effectively meets the needs of all victims.

VAWA is the cornerstone of our nation's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking, and because of VAWA, millions of victims have received lifesaving services and support. Despite VAWA's proven ability to substantially improve lives, it has not reached all victims. VAWA’s reauthorization provides an opportunity to build upon the successes of the current law by including key improvements to protect and provide safety and access to justice for Native American, immigrant, and LGBT victims, as well as victims on college campuses and in communities of color. Additionally, a reauthorized VAWA must include strengthened housing protections that provide emergency housing transfer options for survivors, as well as implementation of transparent and effective accountability measures that support and strengthen, rather than endanger, those programs that assist victims.

“Whether on a reservation, a city street, or a suburban cul-de-sac, every woman deserves to be safe from violence,” concluded Gandy.