VAWA has been Reauthorized through 2027

Mar 16th, 2022

President Biden signed the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 into law this week!

VAWA is a main pillar of the Federal government’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Funding from VAWA is vital to the ability of Maryland rape crisis centers to respond to sexual assault survivors.

Originally enacted into law in 1994, VAWA undergoes the retheorization process ever 5 years, with each reauthorization adding critical enhancements to help survivors. This edition of VAWA 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. It provides communities more resources, and survivors more opportunities to heal.


S.3623, and its companion bill, H.R.1620, are the outcome of years of bipartisan negotiation. We thank Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Dutch Ruppersberger III (D-MD), John P. Sarbanes (D-MD), Anthony G. Brown (D-MD), Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD), David Trone (D-MD), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), and Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK),  Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ben Cardin (D-MD), and their staff for their leadership. We also thank all of the victims, survivors, advocates, and others who reached out to their members of Congress to urge them to support this bill. This is their victory! 

Now we turn to Governor Hogan to once again ask him to collaborate with our federal partners and provide critical funding for victim services. It is vital that Maryland fill the temporary gap in Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) funding, and that the state step up to the plate and meet the increased need for services in the wake of the pandemic. We cannot abandon Maryland's sexual assault survivors and other victims of crime. 

Tell Governor Hogan to fund the gap and
#SaveVOCA!
Call: 410-974-3901
Email
Tweet: @GovLarryHogan

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