Lowey Statement on 20th Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act
Statement
Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland), the senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, today issued the following statement marking the 20th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act:
"Twenty years ago, on September 13, 1994, President Clinton signed the Violence Against Women Act into law, which provided life-saving assistance to victims of physical and psychological torment. VAWA has not only provided law enforcement with the tools to arrest and prosecute offenders, but has provided a lifeline to those who face the threat of domestic violence each day.
"With stricter sentencing guidelines, and resources to help prosecutors as well as state and local law enforcement address domestic violence, VAWA has helped protect innocent victims from abuse. Every year, the law funds training for over 500,000 law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, and other personnel on violence against women and domestic abuse. The National Domestic Violence Hotline, which responds to more than 22,000 urgent calls for help every month, was also created under this legislation.
"Despite the success of this program and the continued need for enhanced domestic violence initiatives, Republicans allowed VAWA to expire in 2013 and attempted to pass a watered-down reauthorization bill. I was proud to stand firm with Democrats in the House and Senate, as well as a number of Republicans willing to work across the aisle, to finally reauthorize VAWA last year. As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue fighting for VAWA funding to strengthen this vital, life-saving law."
VAWA grant money has helped a number of localities and organizations in New York's 17th Congressional District assist victims of domestic violence, including, among others, the Westchester County Office for Women, the City of White Plains, the Pace University Women's Justice Center in White Plains, My Sister's Place in White Plains, the Westchester Community Opportunity Program, Inc. in Elmsford, the Northern Westchester Shelter/Hope's Door in Pleasantville, in Westchester; and the Village of Spring Valley, Rockland Family Shelter in New City, and the Salvation Army in West Nyack, in Rockland.
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