The Violence Against Women Act, known as VAWA, first enacted in 1994, now must be reauthorized before September 30, 2005. If it is not reauthorized we will lose all of the valuable programs which make up VAWA, programs which protect and help women who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and trafficking. VAWA has revolutionized the way that the legal system responds to violence against women through training of police, prosecutors, and court officials. It has also offered invaluable services to victims through funding of rape crises centers, the national domestic violence hotline, housing programs for victims of domestic violence, and legal services for victims to name a few.

The new act, VAWA 2005 was introduced in the senate on June 8, by Senator Biden (D-DE), Senator Hatch (R-UT), and Senator Spector (R-PA). The act was also introduced in the House on June 14, by Representative Green (R-WI). VAWA 2005 will not only reauthorize the existing VAWA but expand its scope to more effectively help women who are victims of violence. Some of its new provisions include treating children impacted by the violence, enhancing health care for rape victims, holding repeat offenders and high tech stalkers accountable, easing housing problems for battered women, and helping domestic violence victims hold on to their jobs. All of these are vital to reach the needs of those affected by violence and their families.

Of all the new provisions in VAWA 2005 one that is especially important is the section addressing housing. Domestic violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness, and more than half of homeless women have been victims of violence and abuse. The housing section will create new grants for developing long-term housing for domestic violence survivors allowing them to create a new safer environment for themselves and their children. It also establishes grants for public housing authorities to more effectively combat domestic and sexual violence on public housing properties. Its goal is to also reduce evictions and denial of housing to victims of crimes and lease violations committed or directly caused by the perpetrators of violence against them. It also expands the transitional housing assistance grants for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking. Vital amendments are also made to the public housing program (known as Section 8) which will not allow an individual’s status as a victim of domestic violence, dating violence or stalking to be a basis for denial of program assistance by a public housing authority, nor be good cause for lease termination.

There are a number of things that you can do in order to help this vital legislation get passed.

1) You can call or write your Senator or Representative

• Find your Representative
• Find your Senator
  • Tell them who your are and what organization and town you're calling from
  • Let them know that VAWA 2005 is important in your community
  • Be prepared with talking points
  • Ask them to co-sponsor VAWA 2005 (S. 1197/H.R. 2876) or thank them for doing so (List of Cosponsors for House and Senate) and ask them to make sure it is voted on as soon as possible.
  • If staff would like more information or to co-sponsor the bill, please inform them that they can contact either Senator Biden’s office at (202) 224-5042 or Senator Specter’s office at (202) 224-4254, or in the House they can contact Representative Mark Green’s office at (202) 225-5665 or Representative Conyer’s office at (202) 225-5126.
• Modify and send this sample letter

2) You can write a letter to the editor

• Tips for letter writing
• Sample letter to the editor

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence has a website with helpful information about VAWA and how you can help.

To learn more about the history of VAWA and about VAWA 2005 visit www.vawa2005.org