What is the Violence Against Women Act of 1994?

Everything you need to know about the Violence Against Women Act of 1994. The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 or VAWA for short is a United States federal law that was on September 13, 1994 by President Bill Clinton. The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 was going to give nearly $1.6 billion to the prosecution and investigation when it comes to violent crimes against women.

The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 also will impose mandatory and automatic restitution for those individuals who are convicted, but also will allow civil redress in some cases that prosecutors choose to not prosecute.

The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 also in the Department of Justice established a Violence Against Women office.

History of the Violence Against Women Act

The Violence Against Women Act was officially drafted by Joe Biden and co-written by Louise Slaughter. These two had major support from the broad coalition of various advocacy groups.

The Violence Against Women Act in 1994 effortlessly passed through Congress with the bipartisan support. The act even passed through the House of Representatives with 235-195, and the senator house with 61-38.

Then again in 2000 there was a Supreme Court case known as United States v. Morrison, which the Supreme Court struck down a provision in the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, which would allow the women to sue their attackers in federal court, if they so choose.

It was voted 5-4, the Supreme Court ended up overturning the provision, which would give the federal court powers in the Commerce Clause.

Then in 2000, the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, was reauthorized by the bipartisan. It was also once again reauthorized in December of 2005.

Then in 2012, the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 renewal was not sitting right with the conservative Republicans. The Republicans were objecting to the extension of the protection of same-sex couples along with the provisions that would allow battered undocumented immigrants to obtain temporary visas.

Then in the following year, after a yearlong uphill battle, the Violence Against Women Act was reauthorized once again.

Violence Against Women Act Programs & Services

When it comes to the programs and services that the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 offers, they offer you a variety of them. They include but not limited to the following:

  • Domestic violence survivors legal aid
  • Victims with disabilities have services and programs
  • Funds for victim assistance services, such as hotlines and rape crisis centers
  • Programs for community violence prevention
  • Services and programs for people who have been evicted from their home due to domestic violence
  • Programs and services for immigrant women or women of different ethnicities and races

Office of Violence Against Women

We mentioned that back in 1994 in the Department of Justice they officially created the Office of Violence Against Women or OVW for short. This office is a federal office that is the leader in minimizing the violence against women while also giving out swift justice and improving upon the services and programs to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, along with stalking victims.

You should also know that the Office of Violence Against Women do not provide their services or programs directly to the public.

Nevada Law and VAWA

The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 is all about ending violence against girls and women by doing the following:

  • USAID and Department of State developing a complex strategy that will not only help prevent, but also respond to gender-based violence
  • Include ways to prevent, but also respond to violence against girls and women in the United States foreign assistance programs that include foreign security training, health, humanitarian assistance, education, social norm change, economic growth, political participation, legal reform, legal reform
  • Supports community-based and overseas non-governmental organizations that helps prevent violence against girls and women
  • Ensures that all data collected is accountable to track ALL investments in various programs that handle gender-based violence

VAWA Statistics

When it comes to the statistics of Violence Against Women, it is quite alarming. Some of the top statistics that people do not talk about are:

  • In 24 hours, there will be over 67,000 victims participating in local domestic violence services and programs
  • Out of 3,410 victims 90-percent of them felt much more hopeful and safer after they visited an emergency shelter
  • With these programs in place 59-percent, more rape victims are likely to file a police report