This law saves lives!
Reauthorized in 2022, and needs reauthorization in 2027
On September 13, 1994, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was enacted, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against gender-based violence. This comprehensive federal legislation addressed domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking by implementing legal protections, improving law enforcement training, and funding essential victim services.
To ensure that abusers could be held accountable, even across state lines, the VAWA established federal penalties for interstate domestic violence and violations of protection orders. It allocated resources for training law enforcement and judicial personnel to handle cases of domestic violence and sexual assault more effectively and sensitively. And, to help survivors rebuild their lives, it funded critical resources – shelters, crisis centers, and legal assistance.
The VAWA made a difference in women’s lives! Between 1993 and 2010, intimate partner violence declined by 67%. In 1993, domestic violence was the leading cause of injury for women aged 15 to 44, surpassing rapes, muggings, and car accidents combined. By 2010, this was no longer the case, reflecting the impact of VAWA and related interventions. Intimate partner homicides also declined — in 1999, 1,218 women and 424 men were killed by an intimate partner; by 2005, those numbers had dropped to 1,181 women and 329 men, demonstrating a gradual reduction in fatal domestic violence cases.
However, between 2010 and 2022, VAWA faced significant legislative hurdles. After its 2005 reauthorization, due to political opposition, efforts to renew it in 2012 stalled, leading to a lapse until 2013, when it was finally reauthorized. Then, in 2018, as a result of the government shutdown, VAWA expired again, leaving crucial protections in limbo.
It remained unauthorized until March 15, 2022, when President Joe Biden signed it into law, despite right-wing opposition to provisions that protect same-sex victims and block violent partners from owning guns. The 2022 reauthorization strengthened protections for Native American women, expanded services for LGBTQ+ survivors, improved housing stability for survivors, and established federal legal definitions for domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking to ensure consistent enforcement nationwide.
While the 2022 reauthorization was a crucial step, serious challenges remain. Homicide is now a leading cause of death for pregnant and postpartum women in the U.S., disproportionately affecting Black women. A 2021 study found a 32.4% increase in pregnancy-associated femicides, with a rate of 5.23 per 100,000 live births — 55% of these victims were Black women, and 81% of the cases involved firearms. Additionally, intimate partner homicides have been rising; in 2019, nearly four women per day were murdered by an intimate partner, reversing decades of decline since 2014.
These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for sustained advocacy, stronger legal protections, and expanded support services — particularly for marginalized communities — to ensure safety and justice for all. The ongoing crisis demands immediate action, as efforts are underway to cut funding for life-saving services that protect survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and rape. We cannot afford to go backward — we must take action now to defend and expand these critical protections.
