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For more than a decade, the landmark Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has served to raise awareness of domestic violence and to address violent crimes against women and their children, including rape and spousal abuse. Since the enactment of VAWA in 1994, the rate of domestic violence has diminished in the United States. However, despite making great strides in breaking the cycle of violence, much work remains to be done.
Domestic violence affects women, men and children of all racial, social, religious, ethnic, and economic groups in the United States. The month of October has been recognized as an appropriate month for activities furthering awareness of domestic violence and to honor the dedication and success of those working tirelessly to end domestic violence and the strength of its survivors. To commemorate this occasion, the House of Representatives approved the Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act by an overwhelming vote on September, 28, 2005. This important legislation would reauthorize and strengthen VAWA programs and activities on domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. For the first time ever, the bill seeks to ensure that VAWA programs are administered in a gender-neutral way, providing an avenue for assistance for male victims of violence.
The Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act also would address the problem of violence against children and youth by including programs for college campuses and assistance to youth who are themselves victims of violence. The bill would focus on effective prevention programs targeting children who have been exposed to violence and young families at risk for violence. In addition, the bill would help aliens subjected to domestic violence to secure their rights to stay in the country and seek shelter from those who batter them by allowing them to self-petition for permanent resident status. The bill also would authorize grants to improve training for court officials and law enforcement responding to domestic violence and grants to encourage community-based solutions to domestic violence.
I strongly support the intent of the Violence Against Women Act. I hope that Congress will move swiftly to complete action on legislation to reauthorize this critical law. No one should fear violence perpetrated against them within their own homes. By raising public awareness of this problem, we can work to save lives and stop the vicious cycle of domestic violence.
*** If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, help is available. Please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or 1-800-787-3224 (TDD).
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