VAWA 2000 funds critical programs to assist victims of domestic abuse. These programs support the work of prosecutors, law enforcement officials, victim advocates, and health and social service professionals who are responding to the crisis of violence in communities throughout the country. VAWA 2000 included two Schakowsky provisions to expand protections for battered immigrant women and to provide transitional housing for victims of domestic abuse.

“By an overwhelming margin, we passed VAWA 2000 with a promise of $3.3 billion over five years.  It is now time for Congress to deliver on its promise,” said Schakowsky, adding that she will work with her colleagues to guarantee that Congress appropriates $677.3 million for VAWA programs for fiscal year 2002.

Schakowsky also promised to work for the passage of H.R. 28, legislation introduced by Representatives Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Connie Morella (R-MD), and Karen McCarthy (D-MO), making the Violence Against Women Office a permanent office within the Department of Justice.  The office was formed in 1995 to implement programs created under the original Violence Against Women Act.  However, there is no federal law mandating its existence. The legislation was introduced earlier this year and is cosponsored by119 House members.  Similar legislation has been introduced in the Senate.

“Every 15 seconds, a women is battered.  Every day, four women die as a consequence of domestic violence.  We must cure this epidemic, not just treat its symptoms, and we will not rest until we break that vicious cycle of violence forever,” Schakowsky concluded.