Title
Urging the United States Senate and House of Representatives to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act so that we may continue the nationwide effort to prevent and address violence against women.
Body
WHEREAS, The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was passed in 1994 in an effort by battered women's movements, advocates for victims of violent crimes, the law enforcement community, prosecutors' offices, courts, and other groups to form a comprehensive response to violence against women; and
WHEREAS, VAWA was reauthorized in 2000 and 2005 with strong bipartisan support and was expanded in scope to address sexual violence and stalking; and
WHEREAS, VAWA took a strong and previously unprecedented approach to domestic violence by establishing certain acts of violence as federal crimes, mandating nationwide state cooperation in the enforcement of protection orders, and placing an affirmative obligation on the government to prevent and address domestic violence; and
WHEREAS, VAWA established federal grant programs to encourage a coordinated community response in order to hold perpetrators accountable for violence against women. These grants provide funding to local, state and tribal governments, courts, non-profit organizations, community organizations, schools, colleges, and universities in an effort to develop effective approaches to address the problem of domestic violence through activities including direct services, crisis intervention, transitional housing, legal assistance to victims, court improvement, and training for law enforcement and courts; and
WHEREAS, In its current form, as introduced in November 2011, VAWA maintains critical support and services for victims, including prevention initiatives focusing on children, as well as programs to engage men as leaders in the effort to end violence against women; and
WHEREAS, Federal, state and local funding for anti-violence programs is more important than ever as the demand for services rise...
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