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Violence Against Women Act reintroduced in 2013
by Alexis Marbach on January 23, 2013
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) introduced the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) last night with additional bipartisan co-sponsors including California’s Diane Feinstein. The legislation, Senate Bill 47, is almost identical to the bill that passed the Senate last year, including the same strong provisions to address sexual assault.
A number of minor changes were included in the bill (S.47):
Presidential Proclamation -- National Stalking Awareness Month, 2013
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 01/02/13
Each year, millions of Americans face the fear, isolation, and danger of being victims of stalking. At some point in their lives, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 19 men will be stalked, and many of these crimes will go unreported and unprosecuted. During National Stalking Awareness Month, we rededicate ourselves to supporting victims of stalking and sharpen our resolve to bring perpetrators to justice.
Senate Approves Leahy-Backed Bill To Reduce Rape Kit Backlog
WASHINGTON (Monday, December 31, 2012) – U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on Monday hailed the Senate’s passage late Sunday of legislation to improve the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Reduction Program, a successful grant initiative aimed at reducing the backlog of untested rape kits throughout the country.
There's only one VAWA for a changing nation
Survivors, not victims, at Amherst College
feministing.com – By Alexandra, November 13, 2012 – Amherst College’s sexual assault policy has been in the news quite a bit since the publication of a former student’s account of the school’s horrific response to her rape. Yet despite this tragic start to a national discussion, the story of violence on the small Massachusetts campus isn’t just about how terrible assault can be: it’s a story of empowerment that conflicts with our standard narrative of helpless victimhood.
Duke Eliminates Statue of Limitations on Student Sexual Misconduct
The Duke Chronicle - By Julian Spector, October 7, 2012 – This week, Duke University eliminated the school's statute of limitations (SOL) on student sexual misconduct reporting. Strong protests from students initiated the removal of the previous one-year SOL restriction. Under the new policy, a student now can file a sexual misconduct report up until they graduate.
Reauthorizing VAWA shouldn’t be partisan issue; the Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
BY CONGRESSMAN CHARLES F. BASS, September 25, 2012 – As a husband and a father, I believe it is our moral obligation to ensure that the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which provides support for the victims of violence and resources to bring their perpetrators to justice, is reauthorized. Before it adjourns, Congress must put partisan differences aside and work together on this incredibly important subject.
One in Three Victims of Teen Dating Violence Has Had More than One Abuser
COLUMBUS, Ohio, 9/18/12 – More than one-third of young adults who reported being victims of dating violence as teenagers had two or more abusive partners, a new study suggests.
The study involved 271 college students who recalled dating violence - including physical, sexual and psychological abuse - from ages 13 to 19.
Overall, nearly two-thirds of both men and women reported some type of abuse during their teenage years, which falls in line with other studies.
Bass Calls for Action on Violence Against Women Act
WASHINGTON, August 15, 2012 – Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) issued the following statement today after calling on House leadership to act on a bipartisan reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) as soon as Congress returns to Washington in September.
Bass said: “It is time for Congress to resolve any differences that remain and act on what is a bipartisan, bicameral consensus on the need to reauthorize VAWA. Having worked closely throughout this debate with New Hampshire organizations that assist victims of violence, I understand the important role that VAWA programs play in our state. Whether providing resources for our law enforcement, prosecutors, health professionals, or service providers, VAWA is a critical element of our public safety network that helps to hold offenders accountable and keep our communities safe.
“The reauthorization of VAWA must not be subject to partisan posturing. I am committed to working with my colleagues to advance consensus legislation that will protect all victims of violence, including those seeking the assistance at the crisis centers in New Hampshire.”
1in6, Inc. and RAINN Join Forces to Provide a 24/7 SupportLine for Men who were Sexually Abused as Children
Washington, D.C., June 20th — 1in6, Inc. — a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help men who may have had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences in childhood live healthier, happier lives — has worked with RAINN, the world’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, to provide a 24/7 SupportLine for men, their family and friends who are seeking real-time assistance, information and referrals.
A Warning to Teenagers Before They Start Dating
NYTimes, By JAN HOFFMAN, Published: June 3, 2012, BOISE, Idaho — After studies emerged more than a decade ago showing that the highest rates of physical and sexual assault happen to women ages 16 to 24, programs to prevent abusive relationships have concentrated on high school and college students.
Some initiatives have shown promise, but overall statistics remain largely unchanged: the most recent government report stated that nearly one in 10 high school students said they had been physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend.
Now a diverse group that includes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and federal lawmakers is trying to forestall dating violence by addressing even younger students: middle schoolers. The goal is to educate them about relationships before they start dating in earnest, even though research shows that some seventh graders have already experienced physical and emotional harm while dating.
U.S. House passes harmful version of VAWA
May 16, 2012 - Today the U.S. House of Representatives voted 222 to 205 to pass HR 4970, the House version of the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence would like to applaud Representative Charles Bass for voting against this dangerous bill. The House's version differs from the bipartisan version of VAWA recently passed in the Senate, which was co-sponsored by Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Kelly Ayotte. HR 4970 includes dangerous provisions for many victims, omits crucial protections for others, and generally weakens the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in New Hampshire.
