We're in the final stretch, y'all. In six (6) days, the VAWA will expire if Congress does not reach a deal. What does that mean for us? It means now, more than ever it is critical that we make our voices heard so that our representatives know that this is a priority for us, and we will not stand for anything less than a comprehensive renewal of the Violence Against Women Act.
Will you make your voice heard this week to protest Congress' inaction in reauthorizing the VAWA?
Reaching out to your representatives can be a daunting and intimidating task, so I'm here to make it easy and painless for you. Taking action can be as simple and efficient as taking the time to vote on Dancing With The Stars so your favorite contestant does not get eliminated. So here it goes -- different ways you can take action this week without going out of your way to feel overly stressed, intimidated, or frustrated because you just don't know what in the world to do first:
1. Make a donation:
Yes, the VAWA was renewed in a stopgap spending spill all those months ago. But this was in no way an assurance that these organizations could continue their work. With under a week to go until the VAWA is up against their next deadline, organizations that rely on VAWA funding are forced to put many of their programs on hold until they know if and when they are receiving the money to continue. This puts thousands of survivors across the country at risk who count on these programs as resources to be able to leave their dangerous situations and successfully start new lives. Your donations ensure that these programs can continue their work, regardless of congressional inaction.
2. Call your representative with a handy script so you already know what you're going to say
Yes, calling can be daunting (especially in an age now where the majority of people exclusively rely on text message) but it is a lot easier when you already know what you're going to say. Check out the below sample scripts for your representative and senator thanks to National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, so that now you have no excuse to call up your rep TODAY and voice your outrage.
Senate: My name is [your name], and I am a constituent from [city and, if applicable, program]. The Violence Against Women Act is one of the cornerstones in America’s fight against domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. [Optional: VAWA is important to me, because . . . ] Every VAWA reauthorization has been bipartisan and responsive to the identified needs of victims and survivors. This reauthorization can be no different. I urge [your Senator’s name] to support a VAWA reauthorization that maintains critical protections for vulnerable communities, invests in evidence-based prevention, and makes meaningful changes to protect victims and survivors. Anything less, including a reauthorization that simply changes the dates on existing funding or that rolls back critical protections for vulnerable communities, is unacceptable.
House of Representatives: My name is [your name], and I am a constituent from [city and, if applicable, program]. The Violence Against Women Act is one of the cornerstones in America’s fight against domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. [Optional: VAWA is important to me, because . . . ] I urge [your Representative’s name] to support H.R.6545, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2018, which maintains critical protections for vulnerable communities, invests in evidence-based prevention, and makes meaningful changes to protect victims and survivors. A reauthorization that simply change the dates on existing funding or a reauthorization that rolls back critical protections for vulnerable communities, is unacceptable.
To find your representative, the US House has this handy link. To find your senator, you can go here. Both websites connect to your representative's names, emails, and addresses. But to contact them even quicker, you can just dial the number for the House Switchboard operator, which is (202) 224-3121.
3. Reach out to your representatives on social media by telling them why you care about the VAWA, why they should care, and questioning their leadership on the issue.
Every single congressional leader is on social media and though they may not use it well, understands how important it is to have a presence on multiple platforms -- probably most important of all, Twitter. It is easier than you'd think to grab the attention of congressional leaders this way. There are a couple basic rules that make a kick ass twitter post to call out your reps for their inaction on the VAWA.
1. Where do they stand on reauthorizing the VAWA?
2. If they voted against the VAWA in 2013, why are they against basic inalienable rights for survivors?
3. If you're a survivor of sexual assault and sexual violence, tell them. Ask them why they don't think you're entitled to basic rights. This has an impact (remember those two women in the elevator with Senator Flake?)
And finally, here's a couple of important facts to throw their way when you're talking about the VAWA:
1. VAWA was the first major piece of legislation that recognized survivors were deserving of governmental resources and protections. Why is it failing to make its way into the national conversation?
2. With six days to go before the VAWA expires, only one proposal fully reauthorizes the VAWA with common sense additions. Not one Republican has endorsed this legislation.
3. The Boyfriend Loophole must be amended. Abused women are five times more likely to be killed if their abuser owns a firearm. Of the 1,352 intimate partner homicides in 2015, 55% were committed with a firearm.
4. Housing protections for survivors must be preserved and expanded so no man or woman decides to stay because he or she does not have a place to live.
5. Native American communities must be granted tribal criminal jurisdiction over non-Indian perpetrators of sexual violence and assault so that they can prosecute crimes on their land and increase the number of Native American men and women survivors who obtain justice.
6. In 2013, additional protections for tribal communities, immigrants, and the LGBT community were shot down by Republicans blocking them from getting the justice, protection and resources they deserve. We cannot let that happen a second time and must protect all people equally under the law.
So, will you make your voice heard this week to protest Congress' inaction in reauthorizing the VAWA?