Maloney Supports Bipartisan Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act
Press Release
Today, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) voted to pass the bipartisan reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), landmark legislation that advances justice, safety and dignity for America's women and children -- particularly the most vulnerable.
"It's ridiculous that the GOP-led Senate refused to reauthorize the bipartisan Violence Against Women Act in the 116th Congress. The safety of women and children should not be a partisan issue," said Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney. "I am proud to vote to pass this bill today and urge the Senate to swiftly follow suit and deliver it to President Biden's desk for his signature. We must uphold the right of every woman to live free from abuse."
The landmark Violence Against Women Act of 1994 ushered in transformative progress by calling for the protection of all Americans from violence and abuse and working to ensure survivors had access to essential services and to justice. Every time Congress has reauthorized VAWA, they have strengthened it to improve protections and access to safety and justice for all survivors. Since 1994, the rate of domestic violence has declined by 63 percent. While we've made great progress, experts still estimate that one in three women in the U.S. still experience domestic violence. Any case of domestic violence is one too many.
This latest robust and bipartisan long-term reauthorization improves the current law by:
Making vital new investments in prevention
Strengthening essential protections for the most vulnerable, including immigrant, LGBTQ and Native American women and specifically supporting communities of color in a culturally-sensitive way
Improving services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking
Empowering law enforcement to protect their communities 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.
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