With Joe Biden leading The House, the President plans to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). President Bill Clinton first signed the violence against women Act in 1994. Interestingly, this law was championed by then-Senator – Joe Biden. It was a landmark law that gave women protection against domestic violence and sexual violence.

The law, which came into effect in 1994, was reauthorized and updated in 2000, 2005, and 2013. In 2019, the bill had expired near the end of 2018 following a government shutdown. Though there was a short renewal period, it soon expired in February 2019. The pandemic has seen an infamous rise in domestic violence cases, citing which Joe Biden urges to reauthorize the VAWA.

In 2013, the VAWA was reauthorized with provisions to extend the Act’s protections to same-sex couples and undocumented immigrants. This was met with staunch opposition from conservative Republicans but was passed nonetheless.

VAWA also funds several services and programs mentioned below:

  • The federal rape shield law
  • Legal support for survivors or victims of domestic and sexual violence
  • Programs to meet the needs of immigrant women and women of different races or ethnicities
  • Programs and services for victims with disabilities
  • Funding for victim assistance services, like rape crisis centers and hotlines
  • Programs preventing community violence 
  • Protections and housing support for victims who have to their homes because of events related to domestic violence or stalking

The programs primarily aim to provide strong support to victims in terms of medical and housing help and reduce or prevent violence, stalking against victims. Also know about natural botox at home.

What is in the VAWA bill?

VAWA has gone through several reauthorizations over the years. The current reauthorization of the bill would change the following things:

  • “Boyfriend loophole” and firearms:

VAWA bars the abuser from procuring firearms but, this only applies to partners who are married, cohabitating, or have children with the victim. Following the reauthorization, the bill will solve the “boyfriend loophole” by barring the procurement of firearms by anyone who is convicted of domestic abuse or even stalking.

  • Accountability for incidents on tribal lands:

The Native American tribal lands do not have the jurisdiction to litigate certain violent acts against women by the non-tribal population. This bill aims to change this and increase the legal accountability for such non-tribal offenders.

  • Increased funding for culture-specific services:

The latest legislation also provides $40 million for the Department of Health and Human Services, which aims to make programs especially meet immigrant women’s needs, marginalized communities, and women of color, including improving language access.

  • Increased funding for Education Program & Rape Prevention:

The reauthorization will also add $110 million for programs to increase educational programs and outreach to prevent sexual and domestic violence.

The VAWA has officially passed in the House of Representatives and is on its way to the Senate. One expects it to face strong opposition from the Republicans over the gun control measures the bill contains.

If you are a female and face violence in your life then contact VAWA lawyer who will help you get justice.