| Congress passed The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) on September 13th, 1994, thereby legislatively validating that violence against women is a national crisis and combating it effectively is a national priority. VAWA created a vital network of services for female victims of violence and established specialized training for law enforcement and prosecutors investigating domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking. VAWA also established transitional services for victims of violence to allow them to rebuild their lives.
In 2013, President Obama updated VAWA by authorizing improved services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking to be more inclusive of Native American women, immigrants, LGBT victims, college students, and public housing residents. The California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) recognizes that much work remains to be done because sexual assault and violence remain cultural impediments in our homes and on our college campuses. Women are disproportionally affected by sexual violence, intimate partner violence and stalking. Nearly one in five women have been raped in their lifetime, while one in four women have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner. Additionally, women are four times more likely than men to be beaten, six times more likely to be shoved against something, and nine times more likely to be hurt by choking or suffocating. CWLC is committed to our work pursuing justice for women and girls. Thank you for being part of our ongoing fight for equality by ending discrimination and eradicating violence toward women of all identities and backgrounds. |