JWI Announces Support for VAWA 2018 Reauthorization

Jewish Women International (JWI), a member of The National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (“NTF”), announced today its support for the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act of 2018 as introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18).

This bill continues important protections for survivors while also making modest yet vital enhancements to the existing Violence Against Women Act (“VAWA”) based on needs identified by organizations who work daily with victims and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

These include provisions that: 

  • Make important investments in programming to prevent gender-based violence;

  • Provide resources to implement evidence-based prevention programming that engages men and boys as allies and promotes healthy relationships;

  • Safeguard important protections to ensure that all victims and survivors have access to safety and justice;

  • Provide a mechanism to hold people who prey on Native women accountable;

  • Provide law enforcement with new resources to develop more trauma-informed approaches;

  • Protect victims and survivors from abusers with dangerous weapons;

  • Offer improved protections for survivors in federal public, subsidized and assisted housing;

  • Support victims and survivors who need help rebuilding financially after experiencing violence;

  • Address the needs of underserved communities; and

  • Improve healthcare responses to the four crimes.

Click here to read the letter of support and learn more about the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act of 2018.

JWI is the leading Jewish organization working to end gender-based violence. As a Steering Committee member of the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, and convener of the Interfaith Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and Clergy Task Force to End Domestic Abuse in the Jewish Community, JWI supports this bill as it builds on VAWA’s previous successes and adds enhancements to ensure the safety of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Press ReleaseDanielle Cantor