The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), originally passed in 1994, creates and supports comprehensive, cost-effective responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. 

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The VAWA Reauthorization Act of 2022 included groundbreaking provisions to strengthen and modernize the law. Now, the law provides survivors, their families and communities, and the local programs that serve them with critical resources for housing, legal assistance, and prevention programming.​ The VAWA also improves existing housing protections; expands access to emergency and short-term housing; creates unique investments for minority survivors; and restores tribal jurisdiction, which allows tribes to hold non-Native perpetrators accountable for crimes.

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The VAWA is up for renewal every five years. It is imperative that it is not only renewed, but that it continues to build on existing protections and programs to better meet survivor’s needs. Shockingly the VAWA was not reauthorized while Donald Trump was president the first time – which is absolutely despicable.