Ask the Senate to Pass the VAWA Reauthorization Act

The Senate Judiciary Committee held a press conference today (2/9) to introduce the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2022.

VAWA is one of the main pillars of the Federal government’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. First passed in 1994, it has been reauthorized three times since then, each time with critical enhancements and support from Maryland legislators. 

This reauthorization includes targeted updates that will protect Maryland survivors, with a focus on Communities of Color and LGBTQ survivors, ensuring they have access to vital services and resources to prevent future violence. This bill continues to improve services for survivors by: 

• Responding to the needs of diverse populations with increased resources and updated language
• Improving the criminal justice response with expanded availability and access to sexual assault forensic examinations and specialized nurse examiners
• Improving the civil legal response and expanding access to legal services across grant programs
• Expanding prevention programs for children and on college campuses
• Increasing victim access to safe housing

A short summary of the bill, from our partners at the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, can be read here.  

Funding from VAWA is vital to the ability of Maryland rape crisis centers to respond to sexual assault survivors. 

Contact Maryland Senators Cardin and Van Hollen to thank them for their past support of Maryland survivors, and ask them to co-sponsor and pass the reauthorization bill in order to give communities more resources, and survivors more opportunities to heal.

Sample Tweets

TY @SenatorCardin and @ChrisVanHollen for your past support of Maryland sexual assault survivors. Please join your bipartisan colleagues in supporting #VAWA to ensure Maryland's survivors are able to access the help they need! #VAWA4ALL

I’m with @SenFeinstein @SenJoniErnst @SenatorDurbin @lisamurkowski to pass #VAWA4ALL because communities need access to sexual assault prevention! @SenatorCardin and @ChrisVanHollen please once again support #VAWA!

TY @SenFeinstein @SenJoniErnst @SenatorDurbin @lisamurkowski, for co-sponsoring #VAWA, a VAWA that includes key enhancements 4 survivors of domestic and sexual violence. @SenatorCardin and @ChrisVanHollen once again please support #VAWA4ALL

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