The Senate worked in a bipartisan manner to pass the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization of 2013, S. 47. The Senate bill incorporates input gathered from more than 2,000 victim advocacy groups, service providers and criminal justice professionals. The bill allocates critical resources needed to hold perpetrators accountable as well as expand services and protections to more victims from marginalized communities–including LGBTQ, Native and immigrant.
It is important to thank the seventy-eight (78) Senators who voted favorably and for their courage of conviction to stand with victims. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) exhibited unwavering leadership in shepherding this bill through the Senate.
As the bill advances in Congress, it is my hope that the House of Representatives will follow the Senate’s model example of bipartisanship and work expeditiously to put forth the best policy benefiting all victims.
Sources: National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
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