Violence Against Women Act 2005
The Violence Against Women Act was the first comprehensive federal legislation to address violence against women in the United States. First passed in 1994, VAWA as it came to be called, was reauthorized in 2000 and most recently in 2005 with new additions and revisions. The new bill was a major step forward that can significantly improve the nation’s response to domestic, sexual and dating violence, and stalking. But since its passage, funding has fallen far short.
The Violence Against Women Act of 2005 contained groundbreaking new initiatives to help children exposed to violence, train health care providers to support victims of abuse, encourage men to teach the next generation that violence is wrong, and provide crisis services for victims of rape and sexual assault. It also continues efforts to improve the law enforcement response to violence against women, train judges on the dynamics of violence and abuse, and provide supportive services, such as transitional housing, to women and children forced to leave their homes because of violence. Get the facts. (Link to VAWA 2005 fact sheet.)
But Congress has not yet funded the new programs the law contains. 2009 is a key year when advocates are pressing Congress to fully fund the Violence Against Women Act, and realize the promise of this law.
