NASW celebrates the bipartisan passage and enactment of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act (S. 3623), as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act. This measure reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) until 2027.
The VAWA Reauthorization Act of 2022 includes provisions to strengthen rape prevention and education efforts, provides legal funding and increased support for marginalized communities to include LGBTQ survivors, and expands special criminal jurisdiction by tribal courts to cover non-Native perpetrators of sexual assault. NASW has long supported and advocated for VAWA reauthorization, underscoring the importance of this legislation in NASW’s 2021 Blueprint of Federal Social Policy Priorities.
The design of this critical piece of legislation was informed by extensive work with survivors, direct service providers, and other stakeholders. Though VAWA’s authorization expired in 2018, reauthorization became even more imperative due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in increased risk for domestic violence and sexual assault.
NASW thanked U.S. Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas; and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., and U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.; Joni Ernst, R-Iowa; Dick Durbin, D-Ill.; and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, for their steadfast leadership on VAWA reauthorization efforts. NASW also thanks all of the victims, survivors, and advocates who reached out to their members of Congress to urge them to support the passage of this bill.