Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 14, 2013

Washington, DC – Representatives Donna F. Edwards (D-MD) and Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Women’s Issues, released the following statement today calling for a bipartisan reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

“As leaders of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues, we support reauthorizing a bipartisan Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). 

Since 1994, when VAWA was enacted with bipartisan support, no other law has done more to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in our communities.  The law’s landmark comprehensive, effective, and cost-saving programs have revolutionized the way in which the pervasive problem of domestic violence is prevented and prosecuted.

“VAWA has proven effective in reducing the rates of domestic violence by more than 50 percent, creating safer communities for women, men, and children. Domestic violence programs across the country provide services to 70,000 victims, answer 23,000 hotline calls, and educate 26,000 professionals and community members in prevention and education training. These services are vital to providing victims, survivors, and families the support they need to overcome the life-threatening circumstance of domestic violence.

“We understand there are differences that have complicated the reauthorization process.  Further, we recognize and commend the efforts of each party’s leadership to find consensus on these differences.  As leaders of the Women’s Caucus, we are committed to ensuring the protections and services are in place for victims and survivors of domestic violence, and we encourage our Congressional colleagues to continue working in a balanced and bipartisan manner on the passage of VAWA.”

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