Congressman Olver's Statement on the Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act

WASHINGTON -- Congressman Olver released the following statement today in recognition of the anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act:

"Today marks the 18th anniversary of the passage of the Violence Against Women Act, also known as VAWA. First signed into law in 1994, the Violence Against Women Act created a coordinated national response to the terrible problem of domestic violence. It created new ways to protect victims and prosecute offenders, while giving communities the financial resources they need to combat these crimes.

However, VAWA expired in 2011 and reauthorization by Congress is urgently needed. I urge the House Republican Leadership to pass the bipartisan Senate reauthorization bill, which would restore the crucial protections which expired last year as well as expanding them to address domestic violence involving college students, immigrants, Native Americans, and people of all sexual orientations. We must stand united as one Congress to end these terrible crimes and pass this VAWA reauthorization now."