House Passes Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021

Press Release

Today, the House of Representatives passed the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) of 2021 to help victims of domestic and sexual violence. The bipartisan reauthorization calls for the protection of all Americans from violence and abuse and works to ensure survivors have access to essential services and the justice system.

Since VAWA's passage in 1994, the rate of domestic violence has declined by 63%. However, additional protections are needed. 1 in 3 women still experience domestic violence and the coronavirus crisis has exacerbated this issue as many women are forced to quarantine in unsafe domestic situations. Representative Malinowski voted in favor of this life-saving legislation. VAWA's last reauthorization passed the House in 2019.

Today's reauthorization includes additional provisions to improve the current law by:

Making vital new investments in prevention programs;
Strengthening essential protections for the most vulnerable, including immigrant, LGBTQ and Native American women and specifically supporting communities of color;
Improving services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking;
Making improvements in the criminal justice response to gender-based violence and improving the health care system's response to domestic violence;
Helping stop abusers and stalkers from obtaining firearms; and
Expanding protections for victims' and survivors' financial security, including housing protections and anti-discrimination protections in the workplace.
"Today we upheld the right of every woman to live free from abuse," said Representative Malinowski. "I am confident that this new and improved version of VAWA will become law under the current administration and save thousands of American lives."

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