Statement: Rep. Speier On House Passage Of Bipartisan Violence Against Women Act

Statement

Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act:

"Today, because House Republicans finally came to their senses to support VAWA's reauthorization, we can be assured that all victims of domestic abuse will continue to have access to the care they need. Since VAWA was first enacted in 1994, intimate partner violence has declined by 67% and the homicide rate of female partners has decreased by 35%.

"VAWA funds go to service providers like the Burlingame-based agency Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA) where more than 10,000 victims of abuse are helped each year. Federal and state dollars account for more than 65% of CORA's funding and enables the agency to staff a 24 hour hotline, place victims in emergency shelter, provide legal services, and collaborate with local law enforcement to help field 911 emergency calls.

"The broad bipartisan legislation we passed today recognizes that domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking does not discriminate based on race, sexuality, age, marital status, or immigration status. No victim of abuse should suffer in silence.

"I am committed to protecting women, men, and children from abuse in all forms. Whether it is in the civilian world or in the military, appropriate systems must be in place to help victims and hold abusers accountable for their crimes," said Speier.

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