Time is Running Out to Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act!

We need your help in sending an urgent message to your House member to pass legislation that would reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) – the landmark legislation that has saved thousands of women’s lives and provided critically needed services and shelters for hundreds of thousands of women and their families who faced violence. Authorization of the Act is set to expire on Sept. 30. The House needs to act and re-authorize these crucial programs NOW!

In July, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Tex.) introduced the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 6545) to continue and expand these important programs. The legislation was written in consultation with both Democratic and Republican members of the House and should receive strong bipartisan support.

H.R. 6545 significantly increases funding for the Rape Prevention & Education Program to address greatly increased demand for community prevention programs. The bill includes important new protections for Native American victims from crimes committed by non-native offenders on reservations, as well as protections for survivors living in federal public subsidized housing, and provides better housing options for survivors who need to flee their abusers.

Additionally, H.R. 6545 supports alternatives to a criminal justice system response in accordance with the wishes of the survivor and provides for a robust enforcement of court orders – a provision that we know will save lives. On average three to four women each day are murdered by their intimate partners.

These improvements to VAWA have been identified by staff at domestic violence shelters, advocates and other professionals who respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

To pass, we need support from both Republicans and Democrats in the House. Many Democrats have signed on to H.R. 6545, but we need all Democrats. VAWA has historically been a bipartisan bill, so If your representative is a Republican, please reach out to her/him and let them know of the urgency to reauthorize VAWA. Ask them to not only co-sponsor but take leadership to get the legislation out of committee and onto the House floor for a vote.

We have the opportunity to continue programs that survivors of gender-based violence rely on. CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE NOW!

Subject: Help Protect Women and Urge House Members to Pass the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2018!

Your Message:

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) expires on September 30, and time is running out to reauthorize this crucial piece of legislation. As your constituent, I urge you to co-sponsor and vote yes on the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 6545). Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee is the lead sponsor; your office can contact Monalisa Dugue at 202-225-6906 to sign on to the legislation. If you are already a co-sponsor, please ask your colleagues to co-sponsor and urge that H.R. 6545 be brought to the floor for a vote soon. VAWA has always enjoyed strong bipartisan support.

In addition to continuing crucial programs that have saved lives and provided vital services to hundreds of thousands of survivors, this reauthorization bill significantly increases the authorization for the Rape Prevention & Education Program to address the increased demand for community prevention programs. This bill includes important new protections for Native American victims from crimes committed by non-native offenders on reservations, as well as protections for survivors living in federally subsidized housing, and provides for better housing options for survivors who need to flee their abusers.

Additionally, H.R. 6545 supports alternatives to a criminal justice system response in accordance with the wishes of the survivor and provides for a robust enforcement of court orders – a provision that we know will save lives. It is an ongoing national tragedy that, on average, three to four women each day are murdered by their intimate partners.

Survivors can’t wait for lifesaving responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

The #MeToo movement has stressed the importance of laws that support and protect survivors of gender-based violence. It is essential that lawmakers respond to this movement with the reauthorization of VAWA and full funding to protect victims.

I ask that you stand with survivors of sexual and gender-based violence across the country and help move to a floor vote the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 6545). Stand for justice and stand with women.