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The Violence Against Women Act is due to be reauthorized in
2005. Enacted as part of the 1994 Crime Bill, this important
federal legislation has been critical in assisting local
communities in preventing and intervening in domestic violence
for over 10 years.
Since 1994, every state and US territory has received billions
of dollars in Federal funding for programs to assist in ending
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and
stalking. Those receiving funding include law enforcement
agencies, prosecutors' offices, judicial and court systems,
child abuse prevention programs, supervised visitation centers,
sexual assault crisis centers, rape prevention and campus
education organizations, civil legal assistance agencies,
programs that assist survivors who are disabled, programs that
work with older battered women, local battered women shelters
and programs that serve Native women, immigrant women, women of
color, among others.
In early 2003, the National Task Force to End Sexual and
Domestic Violence Against Women, the umbrella entity under which
VAWA reauthorization and expansion is sought, reconvened to
begin discussing legislation to reauthorize VAWA. From April -
May of 2004, the legislative drafting committee met extensively
and crafted a legislative proposal to reauthorize VAWA. We hope
that the Congress will soon introduce legislation to
reauthorize, strengthen and expand VAWA based on these
proposals.
On January 28, 2005 the National Task Force held a national
strategic planning meeting to discuss the reauthorization of
VAWA. This meeting will include a presentation and discussion of
the programs included in the reauthorization bill such as the
reauthorization of existing VAWA programs.
The discussion also included details on the inclusion of
additional programs that address issues such as immigration and
trafficking, prevention programs and services, sexual assault,
dating violence and stalking, issues surrounding youth and teen
domestic violence, violence and Native American Women, housing,
prevention programs, programs for health care providers and
economic security for victims.
Any individual or organization interested in learning more about
the National Task Force, VAWA or how you can become involved in
this effort, please contact Maria Washington via e-mail (MWashington@legalmomentum.org)
or call Legal Momentum's Policy Office at 202/326-0040.
Lisalyn R. Jacobs, Chair
National Task Force to End Sexual & Domestic Violence Against
Women and V.P. Government Relations
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