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Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

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On September 13, 1994, Congress passed a groundbreaking law called the Violence Against Women Act. The bill finally put the full force of the federal government into efforts to stop domestic violence and sexual assault and help victims. Since then, it has provided the funds for a national network of shelters and rape crisis centers, services and supports for victims, training and education, and reshaped our criminal justice system. Since its passage, domestic violence against adult women has declined 64 percent.

VAWA was last reauthorized in 2022. The new VAWA includes more culturally specific resources, including for Tribes and LGTBQ people, more focus on teen dating violence, help for children exposed to violence and additional resources to help victims secure housing or address sexual harassment and violence at work. To see a section by section summary of VAWA, please see here. To read the full bill, go here.