Higgins Announces House Passage of Reauthorization of The Violence Against Women Act

Press Release

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced House approval of H.R. 1620, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021. The bill reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which expired in 2019, ensuring continued protections and access to essential services for victims of domestic violence and abuse.

"For victims of domestic abuse, having the proper network of resources to escape the trauma of violence is crucial," said Congressman Higgins. "This bill ensures the resources, protections, and services provided through the Violence Against Women Act not only continue but are expanded to deliver additional tools that help fight, reduce and prevent domestic violence."

The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 continues important protections previously included in the law while making several improvements.

Below are highlights of the bill:

Safer Homes:

Provides housing vouchers, allows for lease terminations, supports grants for transitional housing and programs that support those at risk of being homeless to ensure victims have a safe place to live.
Protects victims at risk of homicide by closing loopholes in firearms laws related to those convicted of domestic violence, stalking and select individuals subject to a restraining order.
Improved Services:

Authorizes $75 million for grants that provide legal aid to victims and dependents.
Trains health care providers to better prevent, recognize and respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking across the racial and age spectrum.
Includes $9 million for grants targeted to individuals with disabilities and an additional $9 million targeting people over 50 who are survivors of abuse.
Community Violence Prevention:

Provides $222 million in annual dedicated funding for the Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors (STOP) Grant program, which supports community efforts to improve responses to domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.
Increases funding from $50 million to $110 million annually for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Rape Prevention and Education Program, critical to sexual harassment and campus sexual assault prevention.
Supports $24 million in grants to non-profit organizations and law enforcement efforts to prevent and enforce cybercrimes.
The legislation will now advance to consideration by the Senate.

Domestic violence has decreased by 63 percent since the Violence Against Women Act was first authorized in 1994, but abuse remains unacceptably high, and cases have risen sharply during the pandemic. If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

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