McCarthy Calls for Renewal of Domestic Violence Law
McCarthy Calls for Renewal of Domestic Violence Law
Wednesday July 06, 2005
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy today announced her co-sponsorship of legislation reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). VAWA is the federal law that provides funding to local governments and community organizations to prevent domestic violence and help its victims. The current VAWA law expires on September 30, 2005.
"Since becoming law in 1994, VAWA has been a great success as many battered women now have places in their communities to turn to escape abusive relationships," said McCarthy. "But incidences of domestic violence still occur at a disturbing rate and Congress must continue what we started in 1994 and reauthorize VAWA."
McCarthy sited statistics indicating that nearly one in four adult women have experienced at least one physical assault by a husband or boyfriend. "We must not only help those who have been victimized, but educate men about the consequences of their actions," said McCarthy.
Currently, the Department of Justice administers VAWA grants to help law enforcement officers and prosecutors develop tactics for arresting and trying batterers, abuse prevention strategies, and train advocates for victims and parole officers working with released offenders.
The Department of Health and Human Services uses VAWA grants to fund battered women's shelters, rape prevention and education programs, and community organizations that help victims of domestic violence and child abuse.
The reauthorization of VAWA includes funding for education programs to prevent domestic violence before it occurs and protections for battered women who have to take time off work to attend to medical problems or receive legal assistance. The new legislation also includes protections from retribution for victims who report incidences of abuse and measures to combat human trafficking of young girls and women.
"This legislation makes a good law even better," said McCarthy. "We have come far in eliminating the social stigma attached to being a victim of domestic violence, this legislation will help more women come forward and ensure more batterers and abusers get prosecuted for these vicious crimes."
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