The Importance of the Violence Against Women Act The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a landmark federal legislation passed in 1994 that forms our nation’s foundation to respond to and prevent gender-based violence, sexual assault, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and stalking, and authorizes funding to prevent such violence and to assist survivors. The […]
After the Department of Education’s announcement of final rule on implementing changes last week, the Clery Act will now more effectively address and report campus violence.
Passed in 1994, VAWA was the first piece of federal legislation to specifically address domestic violence and sexual assault as crimes and to provide federal funding to improve local response to violence against women, including training and resources for law enforcement and judges.
“Every victim deserves justice, regardless of their relationship status.”
Florida Governor Rick Scott vetoed $1.5 million in funding for the state’s rape crisis centers this week. Scott’s decision will affect 30 rape crisis centers across 67 counties in Florida. Scott’s press secretary told the Huffington Post that the governor vetoed the legislation because”this new funding of $1.5 million would have been duplicative, since, as […]
A survey released yesterday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 1 in 4 women in the United States, or 24 per minute, experienced intimate partner violence by either a husband or boyfriend. Moreover, 1 in 5 women stated that they were victims of rape and 1 in 6 of stalking. […]
A survey released yesterday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 1 in 4 women in the United States, or 24 per minute, experienced intimate partner violence by either a husband or boyfriend. Moreover, 1 in 5 women stated that they were victims of rape and 1 in 6 of stalking. […]
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was passed by both houses Saturday, authorizing almost $4 billion over the next five years, and now awaits the President’s signature. The compromised version of VAWA was approved as part of the Justice Department budget, passing the Senate on Friday and the House on Saturday. The reauthorization broadens efforts […]
Supreme Court Hears Critical Cases to Stop Anti-Abortion Violence Statement of Eleanor Smeal, President Washington, DC – After the United States Supreme Court heard arguments today in two related class action cases involving anti-abortion clinic violence and access to women’s health clinics (Joseph Scheidler, et. al. v. National Organization for Women, et. al. and Operation […]
The Seekonk, Massachusetts Police Department has taken a strong stance against officer-involved domestic violence. The town has unanimously approved a new domestic abuse policy that sets out clear protocol for how police should respond to a domestic violence crime being committed by a fellow officer. The new policy requires that the officer must be arrested, […]
Attorney General John Ashcroft appointed Nancy Pfotenhauer, president and CEO of the notoriously conservative International Women’s Forum (IWF), to the National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women. IWF board member Margot Hill was also invited to join the committee, which advises the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services on implementation and enforcement of […]
Pro-choice supporters received their second victory against domestic terrorism today as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed in an unusual opinion to review en banc the three-judge panel decision in Planned Parenthood of Columbia/Willamette, et al. v. American Coalition of Life Activists (ACLA), et al., also known as the “Nuremberg Files” case. In this […]
What: The 6th annual National Center for Women & Policing (NCWP) conference: Redesigning Law Enforcement. The conference, co-sponsored by Women in Federal Law Enforcement, WIFLE, is expected to attract more than 900 top women in law enforcement. *Wednesday, April 4 the NCWP will release its Status of Women in Policing survey report for 2000. Who: […]
Statement of Chief Penny Harrington, Director of the National Center of Women & Policing: Los Angeles — “The prosecution of Robert Mullally is tragic. It is outrageous that a whistle blower — who has exposed such serious abuse committed by LAPD officers and the mishandling by the department of complaints against officers involved in domestic […]
The American Bar Association will make Florida the first site for a new campaign that will provide domestic violence victims with a new safety guide designed to help them with legal questions and aid in the process of leaving abusive relationships. The new program, “Domestic Violence is Everyone’s Business,” will be launched at a press […]
Antonio Ivory of Riveria Beach, Florida admitted to killing his wife, 27-year-old Leasa Ivory, by stabbing her three times in the back with a 6-inch fishing knife. The murder occurred after a dispute between the couple over the custody of their 3-year-old son. Ivory drove to his wife’s apartment and took the locked door off […]
The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) is holding a demonstration to protest Eric Clapton and Reprise Records at Washington, D.C’s MCI Center today. NNEDV executive director Donna F. Edwards said, “In his new release, ‘Sick and Tired’ on the Reprise Record label, Eric Clapton advocates violence against women just to sell a song. […]
The Israeli Supreme Court ordered the release of a woman who was jailed for refusing to accept a divorce with no settlement. The 62-year-old woman had left her physically abusive husband and arrived at the Petah Tikva Rabbincal Court for the divorce hearing. The woman was not allowed to consult a lawyer, and her husband, […]
Women’s chances of being murdered by “intimates,” including current or former spouses or boyfriends, have risen since 1976, according to a Justice Department report, “Violence by Inmates.” The report said, “Intimate violence predominantly affects women as victims …. Violence by an intimate accounts for about 21 percent of the violent crime experienced by women and […]
Western companies are making millions in a booming mail-order bride and “romance tour” industry that not only degrades women but also exposes many to domestic abuse. Mail- order bride companies feature women from Russia, Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America in catalogues and on Web sites. Many of the women are portrayed as “traditional, family-oriented” […]
