In a horrible irony — just as the #MeToo movement has taken hold, causing the fall of many powerful males, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) expired in February of 2019.
Will you sign on to ask Congress to reauthorize this important piece of legislation immediately for the longterm?
Funds from this law help victims of sexual assault and domestic violence escape abusers and get back on their feet. We know that domestic abuse is rampant in this country. Last year, hotlines reported a 40% increase in calls, and they attribute that rise to the #MeToo movement. Women finally feel safe getting help, cutting this funding now is devestating.
VAWA was enacted in September 1994 and reauthorized in 2000, 2005 and 2013, but was set to expire on September 30, 2018. It was extended when Trump signed a bill to avoid a government shutdown, and the bill included a temporary extension of VAWA until December 7, 2019.
By not extending the VAMA, Congress is sending the very clear message that they don't care at all about preventing violence against women. And that's just the message, that's not even taking into account the things that will be defunded if this happens.
This piece of legislation helps fund everything from counseling to transitional housing grants. Losing it means more than a tragedy, it means the literal death of women and children.
It's imperative that we renew let the Violence Against Women Act.
Photo credit: Kat Jayne
