688 Days Since VAWA Expired

[Jacie Estes]

It’s unacceptable that VAWA resources have been jeopardized for almost 2 years!

The election is over and it’s time! Congress has some unfinished business.

We must get Congress to finish the work of passing a VAWA that safely and effectively protects ALL victims.

http://4vawa.org/

 

[Jacie Estes]

Today's Baltimore Sun editorial:

Pass the Violence Against Women Act
Our view: Resources to prosecute domestic and sexual abuse and support for victims trump politics

The 1994 Violence Against Women Act has done tremendous good in stepping up prosecution of domestic violence, aiding victims and increasing awareness of a too-often silent threat to our society. But the act was allowed to lapse in 2011 amid partisan bickering. On Tuesday, the Senate sent a strong signal by voting to reauthorize the law by an overwhelming 78-22 vote, but its survival in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives is, sadly, far from certain.

VAWA, as the law is called, aids in the investigation and prosecution of violent crimes against women and allows for civil redress in cases that prosecutors choose to leave unprosecuted. The act also established the Office on Violence Against Women within the Department of Justice. The reauthorization approved by the Senate would provide $659 million over the next five years for VAWA programs.

This legislation has been important for women since the time of its enactment. After a large push in the late 1980s and early 1990s from advocates concerned with domestic and sexual violence, VAWA has been instrumental in helping to make crimes against women a priority for prosecutors. Over the years, VAWA has expanded its focus from solely domestic violence to also include dating violence and stalking. The bill includes funding for services to protect adult and teen victims, to support training on these issues, and to ensure official responses to violence across the country. continued: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bs-ed-violence-women-20130213,0,3781667.story

 

[Jacie Estes]

WASHINGTON | The president of the National Congress of American Indians says security is the top goal of tribal leaders and is urging the House to pass the Violence Against Women Act.

Jefferson Keel's appeal comes two days after the Senate passed the legislation that continues programs aimed at curbing domestic violence and sexual assaults. The bill also would allow American Indian courts to prosecute and sentence suspects, who are not American Indians, in domestic violence cases. The issue has run into opposition in the House.

Keel is delivering the State of the Indian Nations address Thursday morning at the Newseum in Washington. The annual address follows two days after President Barack Obama gave his State of the Union address. Obama also mentioned the Violence Against Women Act in his speech.


http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/wo...cle_b53d712a-30ee-5ea9-9829-1a72280295ee.html