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About the Violence Against Women Act

Did you know?
Between 1993 and 2001, there was a 49 percent drop in the number of nonfatal, violent acts committed by intimate partners.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Crime Data Brief: Intimate Partner Violence, 1993-2001

First passed in 1994, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) made domestic violence and sexual assault crimes. The VAWA created new punishments for these crimes and gave agencies helping victims more funding to improve their services. In 2000, the VAWA was re-authorized, meaning that Congress and the president agreed to renew the law. In addition to re-authorizing the law, stalking and dating violence were added to the list of crimes covered by the law. Also, more funding was added for legal aid programs for victims. On January 5, 2006, the law was again re-authorized, with even more programs and services added. Some of these include:

violence prevention programs

new protections for victims who are evicted from their apartments because they are victims of domestic violence and/or stalking

funding for rape crisis centers

programs to meet the needs of women of different races or ethnicities

more programs and services for victims with disabilities

services for children and teens

In 1995, statistics showed a large increase in the number of sexual assaults and domestic violence cases in the United States. In response, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Advisory Council on Violence Against Women. Council members include experts in domestic violence, sexual assault and rape, child abuse and neglect, elder abuse, substance abuse, mental health, and minority and women's health. For over ten years, the Council has worked to spread the word about domestic violence and create solutions.

The National Advisory Council on Violence Against Women activities include:

Release of Responding to Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking: Report of the National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women (June 2005). This report includes suggestions for policies and practices to end sexual and domestic violence against women.

The "Community Checklist" initiative, to help make sure each community in the country has programs for domestic violence prevention and intervention.

Creation of the Workplace Resource Center to inform the public about violence through newsletters, information fairs, and workplace programs. The Center was organized by the Family Violence Prevention Fund and is supported by many businesses, state and local governments, labor unions, and the National Advisory Council.

Development of the Toolkit to End Violence Against Women to help communities and individuals end violence against women. Each Toolkit chapter is designed for a different audience and includes suggestions for improving prevention efforts as well as services and advocacy for victims.

If you're a victim of abuse or violence at the hands of someone you know or love, or you are recovering from an assault by a stranger, you are not alone. Get immediate help and support.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-799-SAFE (7233) and 800-787-3224 (TTY). Spanish speakers are available. When you call, you will first hear a recording and may have to hold. Hotline staff offer crisis intervention and referrals. If requested, they connect women to shelters and can send out written information.

The National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-656-4673. When you call, you will hear a menu and can choose #1 to talk to a counselor. You will then be connected to a counselor in your area who can help you. You can also visit the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline.

Additional Resources

Publications

Toolkit to End Violence Against Women — This toolkit provides concrete guidance to communities, policy leaders, and individuals engaged in activities to end violence against women. Numerous experts in the fields of sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking reviewed the recommendations in this Toolkit.

http://toolkit.ncjrs.org/

Violence Against Women: Federal Legislation and Regulations — This resource links to information on every federal law and regulation applicable to violence against women.

http://www.usdoj.gov/ovw/regulations.htm

Stalking Laws (Copyright © NCVC) — The National Center for Victims of Crime has compiled this comprehensive listing of stalking laws. You can find information about criminal stalking laws by state, civil stalking laws by state, the federal interstate stalking statute, a summary of Federal laws, federal penalties statutes and even tribal codes on stalking.

http://www.ncvc.org/src/main.aspx?dbID=DB_All_Legislation188

Organizations

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated January 15, 2009.