Programs Aimed at Stopping Violence Against Women Approved by U.S. House

Programs Aimed At Stopping Violence Against Women Approved By U.S. House

WASHINGTON, DC - (9/28) - Programs aimed at protecting women from sexual and physical abuse were reauthorized by the U.S. House of Representatives today with the support of Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).

"The programs created by the Violence Against Women Act have led to remarkable gains in stopping domestic and sexual violence," noted Capito. "The Violence Against Women Act has helped transform the perception of domestic abuse as a situation that should be dealt with in the home to a serious crime that should be addressed in the courtroom. What used to be considered a family matter is now a crime. I am pleased Congress has taken action to renew its commitment to stopping violence against women before the programs expired at the end of this month."

"Since its inception in 1994, VAWA funding has provided tremendous resources and protections for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in my home State of West Virginia and nationally. Violence against women programs provide increased training for police, prosecutors, and court officials, and greatly improves the response of the criminal justice system to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. These programs have been successful at providing victims with emergency shelters, hotlines, and supportive services.

"Reauthorization of VAWA will improve the help victims receive from the Department of Justice in several ways. One of its more important provisions gives grants to States to ensure victims have better access to trained attorneys and lay advocacy services. This means grief-stricken victims of violence, stalking and sexual assault will receive vital professional support in the moment they need it the most. This support can make all the difference in the time of crisis.

"Domestic violence, unfortunately, strikes everywhere, among the rich, the poor, within urban and rural communities. As a West Virginian, I have been especially sensitive to the needs of rural communities. That is why I am pleased that the reauthorization of VAWA will expand assistance to rural areas through amendments made to the rural domestic violence and child abuse enforcement assistance program. The Department of Justice is authorized to award 3-year grants for education, training, and services to combat violence against women in rural areas.

"In addition, when we reauthorize VAWA, the Federal Government will be sending a strong message to the criminals who have committed violence against women. Reauthorization will permit the doubling of applicable penalties for repeat Federal domestic violence offenders.

"This bill also addresses the accessibility of funding and program dollars for colleges. As the mother of a college student, a young woman college student, I know that the area of sexual assault and dating violence is something that is ever present on the mind of every mother of a young daughter in college."

The reauthorization legislation for the Violence Against Women Act passed the U.S. House by a vote of 415 to 4.

http://capito.house.gov/press_office/detail-page.aspx?id=104&whichone=pr