The 25th of every
month is Orange Day.* Today, join with others around the world in saying NO to
violence against women! Email yourmembers of Congress to ask, “what are you doing to end violence against women?”
Last week, Sept. 18, we
celebrated the 18th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act being signed
into law. Many who worked to make VAWA a
reality in 1994 will remember the ceremony on a warm September day in the White
House Rose Garden and the sense of relief that followed: we finally had the
tools to address the epidemic of domestic violence.
Since that day, VAWA has
expanded its protections to victims of dating violence, sexual assault, and
stalking. Since that day, VAWA has saved
thousands of lives and brought safety to thousands of homes. VAWA’s programs have trained law enforcement,
prosecution and court personnel to better understand the dynamics that make
these four crimes such a burden on U.S. communities. Over the years, VAWA has created historic protections
for immigrant victims and victims on tribal lands. VAWA has raised awareness about and improved
responses to sexual assault and stalking.
VAWA programs have disseminated prevention programs in middle schools
and high schools. The homicide rate for
victims of these crimes has dropped significantly.
Yet any child born on that
bright day in September 1994, now turning 18 years old, still faces the specter
of victimization, because there are so many areas VAWA did not cover in the 18
years since its passage. So in 2012 the
Senate developed a new improved version of VAWA, a reauthorization that fills
in so many of those gaps that pose dangers to youth who have never lived in a
world without VAWA. Without the new
version of VAWA, an 18 year old victim of sexual assault will not be able to
secure safe housing. Without the new
version of VAWA, an 18 year old victim of dating violence will find it
difficult to obtain justice on campus.
Without the new version of VAWA, many underserved communities, including
the LGBT community, immigrant victims, and Native women, will have no place to
go for help.
VAWA has done a stellar job of
helping millions of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual
assault, and stalking over 18 years.
Let’s celebrate VAWA’s birthday on this Orange Day by making sure all
victims of violence can access help and justice. Congress can best say “Happy Birthday, VAWA!”
by completing an inclusive bill and getting it to the President to be signed,
as it once was on a bright September day.
Click here to send a message toyour members of Congress – Complete a Violence Against Women reauthorization this
year!
* On September 25 – and the
25th of each month – join people around the world in observing an Orange Day to work
for an end to violence against women and girls. SayNO – UNiTE to End Violence against Women is a social mobilization platform
on ending violence against women and girls related to UN Secretary General Ban
Ki-Moon’s campaign, UNiTE to End Violence against Women.
The campaign invites us to wear orange and take action on the 25th of each
month to end violence against women and girls. Learn more and find ideas for action.
** Many thanks to the National Task Force to
End Domestic Violence for the content of this action alert.
