Meehan Votes NO on House VAWA Bill, Says "We Must Do Better"

Press Release

Saying "we must do better," U.S. Rep. Patrick Meehan (PA-07) today voted against H.R. 4970, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2012, in part because it did not adequately address crime on college campuses.

"From my years as a district attorney who prosecuted abusers, I know first-hand how important it is to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. But this bill missed a critical opportunity to strengthen protections for women on campus," Meehan said.

Like the Senate version of this bill, the original House legislation required colleges to issue reports on instances of date rape, domestic violence and stalking, and to issue policies designed to prevent these crimes on campus and serve victims. However, these measures were stripped out of the bill for consideration at a later time.

"The Justice Department estimates that one in five female college students will become victims of sexual assault. Women's victim advocates and law enforcement officials in my district have told me in no uncertain terms that sexual assault on college campuses remains a national crisis and we cannot wait. And from my experience as a prosecutor, I know they're right," Meehan added.

The Clery Center for Security On CampusSecurity hailed Meehan's vote as a vote to stand up for womens' safety.

"We applaud Congressman Meehan for again being an advocate for safety on college campuses," said Alison Kiss, Executive Director of the Clery Center for Security On Campus. "Removing the campus safety provisions demonstrates a failure to recognize how critical the issues of dating abuse, stalking, and sexual assault are to the vulnerable population of young people. We are glad that Congressman Meehan not only understands these issues, but has been a leader on them, and a leader for all women and victims of violence."

In addition, Meehan opposed the bill because it makes it more difficult for immigrants who are victims of domestic violence to seek help from authorities, and it waters down requirements that state officials closely coordinate with local law enforcement, rape crisis centers and women's advocates in the implementation of VAWA programs and grants.

Noting that VAWA reauthorization has historically been nonpartisan, and even this year it passed with a broad bipartisan majority in the Senate, Meehan added that "It is disappointing to see this issue become so politicized. It was my hope that we could pass a bill with broad bipartisan support that avoids election-year politics. This issue is far too important to be made a political football, and both parties share blame in that."

Meehan concluded, "We can do better, and we must do better to ensure that the women in our own lives have the protections and services they deserve."

Earlier this year, Meehan, a former Delaware County District Attorney and U.S. Attorney,called on House and Senate leadership to pass a reauthorization of VAWA. Meehan also held several roundtable discussions throughout the district to meet with law enforcement officials and victims services groups. Meehan also co-authored an opinion piece about VAWA inThe Philadelphia Inquirer (Extend Violence Against Women Act, 4/22) with Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman.

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