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Violence Against Women Act

Issue Overview

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) creates and supports comprehensive, effective, and cost saving responses to the crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.  VAWA programs, administered by the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services, have dramatically changed federal, tribal, state, and local responses to these crimes.

Initially passed in 1994, VAWA created the first U.S. federal legislation acknowledging domestic violence and sexual assault as crimes, and provided federal resources to encourage community-coordinated responses to combating violence.  Its reauthorization in 2000 improved the foundation established by VAWA 1994 by creating a much-needed legal assistance program for victims and by expanding the definition of crime to include dating violence and stalking.  Its subsequent reauthorization in 2005 created new programs to meet the emerging needs of communities working to prevent violence.  VAWA expires in 2011 and should be swiftly reauthorized to ensure the continuation of these vital, lifesaving programs and laws.

NNEDV has been a leading force in efforts to reauthorize VAWA.  NNEDV and its member state domestic violence coalitions also played a crucial role in the passage of VAWA in 1994 and its reauthorizations in 2000 and 2005.

NNEDV is currently working with state coalitions, national organizations, and Congress to ensure VAWA’s swift reauthorization in 2011 and targeted investments in VAWA grant programs through the appropriations process.

VAWA Reauthorization

While VAWA programs have encouraged systemic changes to meet the needs of victims and saved countless lives, more work still needs to be done.  VAWA’s reauthorization should build upon its successes and continue progress towards breaking the cycle of violence.

Reauthorization of VAWA should enhance:

• Our national efforts to save lives and save money;
• Successes of current programs to meet the full range of victims’ needs;
• Judicial, law enforcement, and medical interventions;
• Housing, workplace, and military protections for victims;
• Youth services working in collaboration with schools, college campuses, and other local community organizations to protect victims;
• Services for tribal victims and accountability for offenders; and
• Prevention programs working to break the cycle of violence.

We urge Congress to swiftly reauthorize VAWA to ensure a continued federal response to domestic and sexual violence. 

VAWA 2005

On January 5, 2006, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 2005 was signed into law by former U.S. President George W. Bush.  VAWA 2005 took a more holistic approach to addressing violence against women and addresses domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. In addition to enhancing criminal and civil justice and community-based responses to violence, VAWA 2005 created notable new focus areas such as:

• Developing prevention strategies to stop violence before it starts;
• Protecting individuals from unfair eviction due to their status as victims of domestic violence or stalking;
• Creating the first federal funding stream to support rape crisis centers;
• Developing culturally- and linguistically-specific services for communities;
• Enhancing programs and services for victims with disabilities; and
• Broadening VAWA service provisions to include children and teenagers.

Learn More About VAWA:

• VAWA 2011 Reauthorization Fact Sheet
• VAWA 2005 Fact Sheet
• Section By Section Summary of VAWA 2005
• The Violence Against Women Act of 2005
  The full text of the "Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005" as signed into law on Jan. 5, 2006.

• VAWA 2005 Technical Corrections
  These corrections amended VAWA 2005, fixing minor errors.