VAWA Is Ready for a Winning Senate Vote 

Tell the Senate: Bring it to the floor ASAP! 

REAUTHORIZE VAWA NOW! 

THE ISSUE 

NOW joins The National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence to call on the Senate to bring VAWA to the floor for vote. The Task Force released a survey of American voters on behalf of the NTF and a letter in support of S.3623.  

 The National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF) is pleased to announce the release of a letter in support of S.3623, the Violence Against Women Act of 2022, signed by 740 local, state, territorial, tribal, and national organizations dedicated to ending domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Addressed to Senators, the letter states, “S.3623 builds upon the House companion bill H.R.1620 and maintains existing protections, as well as expands VAWA to address persistent gaps in the current law.”  

Reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is important not only for organizations working directly with victims and survivors, it is also a priority for an overwhelming percentage of Americans. A survey of American voters on behalf of the NTF found that 93% believe VAWA should be reauthorized within the year, with little variation by political affiliation. Moreover, after hearing the contents of S.3623 described, 91% said that it should receive bipartisan support in Congress and be a legislative priority for both Democrats and Republicans, again with little variation by political affiliation. S.3623 is a triumph for bipartisanship and represents the will of the American people.  

NOW and the NTF call on the Senate to bring S.3623 to the Floor for a vote immediately!  

BACKGROUND 

The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA or S.3623) creates and upholds extensive and cost-effective responses to sexual assault, dating violence, stalking and domestic violence. VAWA provides communities with tools to help survivors access vital live-saving services.    

Since its original passage as part of the 1994 crime bill, VAWA has been a pillar of the comprehensive approach to ending gender-based violence. There have been three reauthorization processes of VAWA since 1994, incorporating new provisions to protect survivors and save lives, including housing protections, funding for crisis centers, responses to domestic abuse and expanded assistance to LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities of color.    

WHY IT MATTERS 

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), 10 million people are physically abused by an intimate partner each year in the United States. The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) reports that nationwide, an average of 3 women are killed by an intimate partner every day. Additionally, immigrant survivors and survivors of color encounter more barriers to accessing safety resources and survivor services.    

In a society structured to sustain gender-based violence, NOW urges the Senate to pass the reauthorization of VAWA to support and protect survivors and ensure resources are available, especially for those in the LGBTQIA+ community and women of color who face disproportionate impacts of violence.   

THE STATUS 

VAWA’s current authorization expired in 2018. In 2019, the House of Representatives passed VAWA, which was blocked by Republican Senate leadership. On March 17, 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1620, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 with a bipartisan vote of 244-172. The bill introduced by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) includes crucial survivor-centered enhancements including restorative justice practices, VAWA-funded legal services for survivors, investment in prevention via the Rape Prevention and Education Program, and culturally specific service programs.  Now, a Senate bipartisan VAWA, S. 3623, was introduced on February 9th and awaits a floor vote.     

TAKE ACTION   

Call both your members of the U.S. Senate and urge them to vote YES on VAWA when it’s time to vote. Contacting Republican senators to urge support is particularly important.  And, thanking the 11 R sponsors (linked here) is a good idea and please ask them to encourage their colleagues to join them in supporting VAWA.  

Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and be connected to your Senator’s office. Here is the directory: U.S. Senate: Senators  If you call during the time when Senators are home in your state, you can also call one of their several in-state offices. Just check their Senate websites to find contact information.     

RESOURCES