Bill to Reauthorize Violence Against Women Act Introduced by Bipartisan Group, Including Senator Collins

Statement

U.S. Senator Susan Collins joined a bipartisan group of 17 of her colleagues in introducing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization Act. Senator Collins participated in a press conference to unveil the bill with the other co-sponsors, and they were joined by representatives from violence prevention and law enforcement groups, a survivor of domestic violence, and award-winning actress Angelina Jolie.

The bill, which would reauthorize VAWA through 2027, preserves advancements made in previous reauthorizations and includes a number of additional improvements to the current law. The last time VAWA was reauthorized was 2013.

"In my work on this issue, I have learned that no state, no community, and no family is immune to the horrors of domestic violence. In Maine, domestic violence has historically been involved in approximately half of annual homicides," said Senator Collins. "By reauthorizing and strengthening the Violence Against Women Act through this bill, we will help prevent domestic violence and rescue survivors from the nightmare of abuse. Together, we can take a stand against violence and help make every home, for every person, a safe haven."

Key provisions of the bill:

Provides services, protection, and justice for young victims of violence, including extending the Rape Prevention and Education grant program and improving grants focused on prevention education for students in institutions of higher education.

Enhances judicial and law enforcement tools through reauthorization of the Justice Department's STOP Violence Against Women Formula Program, known as the STOP Program, and expansion of the STOP Program to better support survivors who are 50 years of age or older and survivors with disabilities.

Reauthorizes and updates the SMART Prevention Program to reduce dating violence, help children who have been exposed to domestic violence, and engage men in preventing violence.

Provides economic security assistance for survivors by reauthorizing the National Resource Center on Workplace Response. Expands the program to support sexual harassment victims and ensure that the program's resources are available to private-sector businesses with fewer than 20 employees in addition to public-sector entities.

Improves the medical response to instances of domestic violence and sexual assault, including expanding access to medical forensic examinations after a sexual assault for survivors who live in rural communities.

The bill was co-authored by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). In addition to Senator Collins, the bill was co-sponsored by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH), Brian Schatz (D-HI), John Cornyn (R-TX), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Jerry Moran (R-KS).

Source