County by County Data Shows Need for Programs That VAWA Supports Across State
Legislation Includes Casey-Authored Bill That Would Better Protect Victims of Domestic Violence on College Campuses
Washington, DC - With legislation to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) on the Senate floor, Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today called on Congress to pass this bipartisan legislation that protects victims of domestic violence. During a conference call, Senator Casey highlighted county by county data that shows the need for the programs that VAWA supports across Pennsylvania.
“The Violence Against Women Act is a bipartisan piece of legislation that has helped countless victims of domestic violence in our nation and across Pennsylvania. Congress should pass it right away,” Senator Casey said. “I’m pleased that this bill contains the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act which I authored to bring much-needed reforms and resources to victims of domestic and sexual violence on college campuses. I’m hopeful that Congress will move forward with this bill and get it to the President.”
The Violence Against Women Act was first enacted in 1994, and has been reauthorized with bipartisan support in 2000 and 2006. VAWA created and continues to support comprehensive, cost-effective and cost-saving responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. In the 18 years since VAWA was first enacted, the law and the programs it supports have changed the national dialogue on domestic violence. Domestic violence is now recognized as a crime in all 50 states and all the territories.
S. 47, the current reauthorization of VAWA, has been endorsed by over 1300 local, state and national organizations. The bill was developed over several years in an intensive process involving thousands of advocates, dozens of local programs, state and federal grant administrators and national resource centers.
The VAWA reauthorization bill contains Senator Casey’s Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act (Campus SaVE Act). It will require institutions of higher education to develop a clear statement of policy regarding domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking, including programs to prevent these tragedies from occurring; provide written information to victims regarding their rights and the resources available to them; and establish clear campus conduct procedures for disciplinary procedures against individuals accused of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking.
Campus SaVE has been endorsed by 29 organizations, including the Clery Center for Security On Campus, the One Love Foundation, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, National Network to End Domestic Violence, Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) and the American Association of University Women.
Victims of domestic violence across Pennsylvania have been aided by VAWA. Attached is a county by county report containing additional information.
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