For the eighth #HERvotes blog carnival, we’re joining forces for the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey found alarming rates of sexual violence, stalking, and domestic violence: One in 4 U.S. women has been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner, and nearly 1 in 5 has been raped in her lifetime.
This week, the Senate Judiciary Committee will consider legislation that would reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the largest policy effort aimed at responding to and preventing these crimes. First passed in 1994, VAWA supports comprehensive, cost-saving responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. Since its passage in 1994, more victims report domestic violence to the police and the rate of non-fatal intimate partner violence against women has decreased by 53 percent.
HERvotes supports VAWA’s lifesaving programs and services and urges Congress to reauthorize and improve VAWA’s critical programs for five more years.
Let’s spread the word and make sure Congress hears our voices.
Join us by sharing the posts below on Facebook, Twitter (using the hashtag #HERvotes), and other social media.
Take Action:
National Organization for Women petition to Congress
Read more:
Immigration, Intimate Partner Violence, and the Violence Against Women Act -Anjela Jenkins, Law Students for Reproductive Justice Fellow, blogging for the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
Teen Dating Violence -Christine Bork, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
Combating Domestic Violence: A Call to Reauthorize VAWA– Mallen Urso, National Women’s Political Caucus
Violence Against Women Act up for Reauthorization– National Association of Social Workers
Wake up, People! Domestic Violence is an Epidemic!– Donna Pantry, Elf Lady’s Chronicles
More From Ms.:
