WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) announced her co-sponsorship of legislation that would reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). This legislation is co-sponsored by the entire Senate Democratic Caucus, and was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in April of this year.
“Twenty-five years ago, Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act, taking a stand against violence committed against women and creating critical support programs for survivors,” dijo el Senador Rosen. “In that time, VAWA has helped save countless lives and has played a major role in combating sexual and domestic violence. Despite our progress these past decades, there is still much work to be done. One out of every four women and one in nine men will face intimate partner violence or stalking in their lifetime, and the statistics are especially alarming in Nevada, which has the second highest rate of domestic violence in the nation, and for the past several years, has consistently ranked first in the nation for domestic violence fatalities. We must bring this critical legislation up for a vote, and stand united in defense of domestic violence and sexual assault survivors everywhere.”
BACKGROUND: The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019 would authorize funding for new programs to prevent domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and improving existing services and resources for survivors. The bill would also close a loophole in the law to ensure that intimate and dating partners, regardless of marital status, who are convicted of dating violence, stalking, or are under a restraining order, cannot possess a firearm.
Additionally, this legislation strengthens protections in Native American and Alaska Native communities by restoring tribal jurisdiction over crimes of sexual violence, stalking, and sex trafficking and crimes against children, elders, and law enforcement. The legislation also improves access to information databases and enhances communication between law enforcement agencies.
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