The Violence Against Women Act is about to expire
Dear Friend,
The enactment of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in 1994 was an historic acknowledgment of the significance of domestic and sexual violence. Nationwide, the number of domestic violence incidents has been cut in half since the enactment of VAWA, and in New Mexico that number has dropped by 35 percent since 2005. I was proud to play a role in VAWA's last reauthorization in 2013, which expanded on the law's successes. I fought for key provisions to more effectively combat violence against all victims by increasing protections for Native American women, gay and lesbian victims, and battered immigrant women.
But there is still so much that we need to do. One in three women still face domestic violence in New Mexico. That's why I am calling on my Republican colleagues to stand up for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse and reauthorize and expand on VAWA's success before the law expires this month. I was proud to join the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women last week in a press teleconference to highlight why this is so important. I hope you can take a moment to read and share this story in the Gallup Sun about our efforts to reauthorize VAWA.
Our success in addressing the epidemic of domestic violence and sexual abuse depends on a strong reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. We need make this a priority right now.
Sincerely,
MARTIN HEINRICH
United States Senator
Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., hosted a press call Dec. 13 to discuss the importance of reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act.
VAWA was previously reauthorized in 2000, 2005 and 2013 - the most recent expansion added Native Americans and same-sex ouples, along with increased protection for victims of sex trafficking.
"We need to not only reauthorize (the act), we need to build on it," Heinrich said during the call.
Reauthorizing VAWA would help people who face severe levels of opposition, according to Heinrich.
"[The act] will provide victims with safe housing and communities to get them back on their feet," he said.
Otherbull said the safety of Native Americans has not been prioritized at the national level as much as it should be. She said Native women are 10 times more likely to be murdered as non-Native women.
She said reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act would bring funding for training staff and prosecution against domestic violence, trafficking and sex crimes, along with more comprehensive victim support services.
When asked if anything would be different in the act with this time around, Heinrich said they would focus on the feedback they have gotten.
"We've listened to law enforcement, advocates, and asked them what can be done to improve this law," he said.
As for funding, Heinrich said this version of the act is an extension of the existing legislation with flat funding, and the state would seek out additional financial resources for the programs that Otherbull mentioned.
Heinrich added that reauthorizing this act presents an opportunity for grants that can be used to build judicial capacity in local tribal governments, which can help to ensure successful prosecutions of the perpetrators.
While the Navajo Nation has already made use of this program to some degree, other tribes have not because of a lack of judicial capacity, Heinrich said.
Otherbull said the high number of tribal citizens in the state presents a unique challenge for New Mexico, along with the rural nature of the state.
The state will face these challenges for the benefit of the people, Otherbull said.
"[This program] will provide healing for survivors and their families," she said.
