Yesterday, the House Judiciary Committee voted along party lines to approve a reauthorization of the VAWA (finally!) In the next few weeks, it will head to the House for a final vote and (hopefully) pass, so that organizations that have been depending on VAWA funding for months since the government shutdown can finally rest knowing that they once again have steady funding.
Though reauthorization is our ultimate goal, it has been noted by myself and others that the VAWA is not perfect and needs to be built upon and strengthened in order to continue reaching towards the ultimate goal of equality for all and ending systemic sexual violence against men, women and children. Unfortunately, this newest reauthorization fails that goal in a number of ways. For instance, the following amendments failed under the committee:
1. Barring people convicted of a violent misdemeanor or subject to a court order from owning firearms
2. Allowing tribal courts to prosecute non-Native Americans who attack Native American woman on tribal land.
3. Protections for survivors of gender mutilation 'may' pass, but Representative Nadler wants to "adjust" the language of the amendment before committing to its being included in the final reauthorization
We should accept nothing more than what we deserve when the bill is brought to a vote. Will you contact your representatives today to let them know your demands for #VAWA? Call now: (202) 224-3121
On the other hand, the bill includes major wins for survivors, victims, men, women and children. For instance:
- the bill would include protections for victims of stalking and additional protections for men and children
- additional protections for the LGBT community will be implemented, specifically requiring the Bureau of Prisons to consider how the transgender community identifies when giving housing assignments
Like anything in life, there is some good and some bad in this latest unveiling of the VAWA reauthorization. DV organizations and trauma centers across the country have been in limbo for months, waiting for confirmation from their government that they can depend on a steady source of income for the critical work they perform. It is crucial that the VAWA is reauthorized promptly.
That doesn't mean we shouldn't keep fighting for what we know is right. Until the legislation comes to a final vote, we need to keep pressing our legislators to deliver a #VAWA that is reminiscent of the full fledged rights we deserve. We should accept nothing more than what we deserve when the bill is brought to a vote. Will you contact your representatives today to let them know your demands for #VAWA? Call now: (202) 224-3121