FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AG (202) 514-2007WWW.USDOJ.GOV
TDD (202) 514-1888
STATEMENT BY ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO
ON THE REAUTHORIZATION OF THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT Attorney General Janet Reno today called on Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which is due to expire in eight days. The Violence Against Women Act, enacted as part of the 1994 Crime Act, provides for a comprehensive approach for fighting violence against women. The VAWA statute will come to an end if it is not reauthorized before October 1, 2000. The Attorney General issued the following statement:
"In just eight days, the authorization for the Violence Against Women Act grant programs will come to an end. This historic law, passed in 1994, will expire next Saturday unless Congress acts quickly to extend and strengthen its protection for victims of domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault.
"I remember well -- and it's not that long ago -- when representatives and participants in the criminal justice system looked at a domestic case and said, "That's a domestic," and just turned their back on it. I also remember the study that I did in Dade County of those that had been killed in the 20 years before in which the cause of death could be determined. Forty percent were related to domestic violence.
"Through VAWA we have come a long way. We've strengthened our criminal and civil justice system's response to domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Since 1994, the administration and Congress have provided $1.5 billion in funding through VAWA to support victim services and the work of police, prosecutors and the courts.
"Violence against women by intimate partners, including husbands and boyfriends, fell by 21 percent from 1993 to 1998. We all know that there are many factors that have contributed to this decline, but I think the passage of the act has been a significant contributing factor. It has made it possible to fund shelters, to fund centers, to fund outreach programs that can truly make a difference.
"Now is not the time to turn our back on this problem. I think it is important for the American people to understand that this is still a priority for this nation. Both Houses of Congress have worked hard on a bipartisan basis to draft the legislation that would reauthorize and strengthen VAWA. What we need now is final action on legislation before VAWA expires and before Congress adjourns.
"This is another example of something that is working that we can't let die. We can't become complacent and say because we've reduced domestic violence by 21 percent that we can now stop and turn our efforts to other areas. Now is the time to continue the efforts that have proven successful, and I hope it will be reauthorized in these next eight days."
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