News

Last month, advocates celebrated the 15th anniversary of the landmark Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) with a series of proclamations, statements, resolutions and events.

On September 29, Vice President Joseph Biden hosted a celebration at the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. As a United States Senator, the Vice President was one of VAWA’s original champions. At the celebration in September, the Vice President called the Act’s passage his “proudest accomplishment,” and said the country’s next step “is to get a similar violence-against-women measure passed on an international level,” United Press International reports.

President Barack Obama commemorated the 15th anniversary in a Proclamation that says, “In the 15 years since VAWA became law, our Nation’s response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking has strengthened… Despite this great progress, our Nation’s work remains unfinished… Far too many women in our communities and neighborhoods, and across the world, continue to suffer from violence. Inspired by the achievement of the Violence Against Women Act, our Nation stands united in its determination to end these crimes and help those in need… I call upon men and women of all ages, communities, organizations, and all levels of government, to work in collaboration to end violence against women.”

Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) issued a statement that says, in part, “On this 15th anniversary, it is important that we pause to celebrate what we have accomplished. There is no doubt we have made great strides in reducing domestic violence and sexual assault, but we know more work remains to be done. I look forward to working together with other Senators, the Obama-Biden administration, and experts in the field to ensure that VAWA remains a vital resource for prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, victim service providers, and, most importantly, the women and families who are threatened with violence and abuse.”

The House of Representatives passed H.Res. 738 recognizing the 15th anniversary of VAWA by a voice vote on September 14. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) issued a statement after passage, “VAWA has brought communities together to address the appalling problem of violence against women and provided critical, life-saving support to so that victims do not have to suffer in silence. Based on the fundamental American value that no one should have to live in fear, this landmark legislation has improved the lives of countless [women and children]… VAWA is an example of the power of a bipartisan group of legislators determined to make progress. Today we recommit to the goal of ending the scourge of violence against women once and for all.”

Many advocates across the country continue to celebrate VAWA at Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities.