VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) IS BACK, STRONGER THAN EVER
The far-reaching VAWA Act was reauthorized on March 14, 2022 by President Biden, among much applause, four years after it lapsed because of a polarized Senate over a clause relating to gun control.
VAWA has for long been the mainstay of the nation’s drive against domestic and sexual violence. Interestingly, as a senator in 1994, Biden helped write the original piece of legislation.
What’s new about VAWA, in 2022? In the President’s words: “The VAWA Reauthorization Act of 2022 will expand prevention efforts and protections for survivors, including those from underserved communities, and will provide increased resources and training for law enforcement and our judicial system. It will strengthen rape prevention and education efforts, support rape crisis centers, improve the training of sexual assault forensic examiners, and broaden access to legal services for all survivors, among other things.”
WHAT’S NEW
- Increased funding for education, prevention, legal assistance – more than $500 million to increase resources for survivors of violence.
- ‘Forced marriage’ is defined and understood as a form of violence against women, for the first time. This is a victory for South Asian organizations like Ashiyanaa – we provide services to forced marriage survivors. It opens a welcome route for federal funding.
- Increased support for marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ survivors.
- Authorization to Tribal courts to try persons who are non-tribal – for sexual violence, sex trafficking, stalking, child violence, assault of tribal justice personnel, and obstruction of justice on tribal lands.
- Federal civil cause of action for individuals whose intimate visual images are disclosed without their consent.
- AND MORE: Read Summary Of The Reauthorization
VAWA, a lifeline for South Asian survivors
Victims of interpersonal violence (also known as domestic violence) get special support for applying for immigration status under VAWA – they can apply on their own, without having to route it through the oppressor.
Those who are eligible:
- Abused spouse of a US citizen or green card holder
- Spouse of a US citizen or green card holder who is abusing the child or children
- Child of a US citizen or green card holder who is being abused by a parent
Read more: https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility/green-card-for-vawa-self-petitioner
VOICES
Ashiyanaa: Priya Kulkarni, President
“This reauthorization is going to be life-changing for survivors of forced marriages, for LGBTQ+ survivors and for underserved indigenous communities…we whole-heartedly applaud this bipartisan achievement!”
National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV): Deborah J. Vagins, President and CEO
“This bipartisan VAWA reauthorization includes groundbreaking provisions to strengthen and modernize the law, toward the goal of ensuring all victims are served and supported. The additional funding will also help respond to survivors’ immediate needs.”
https://nnedv.org/latest_update/nnedv-applauds-signing-of-omnibus-and-vawa-reauthorization/
Tahirih Justice Center: Casey Carter Swegman, Director of Public Policy
“Having forced marriage defined in VAWA for the first time represents a major milestone… This recognition is historic and long overdue.”
MORE INFORMATION
Fact sheet
President Biden’s speech
General information on VAWA
