U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., joined President Biden in the White House on Wednesday as he signed into law the bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2022, sending crucial resources to victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence.
This marks the first time the landmark law has been reauthorized in nearly a decade.
The updated Violence Against Women Act passed with bipartisan support as part of the broader government funding bill, reauthorizing the law through 2027.
The reauthorization expands prevention efforts, enhances survivor services, and strengthens law enforcement response. In addition, it builds on the original legislation to deliver more resources for rural, Tribal, and LGBTQ+ communities, provide additional tools to hold perpetrators accountable, and support prevention programs on college campuses.
“After three years of working across the aisle to modernize and renew the Violence Against Women Act, of working to protect survivors and ensure their path to justice—it’s an honor to see this bill signed into law today,” Rep. Davids said. “And with comprehensive measures that empower Tribes, we are finally starting to shine a light on the disproportionate levels of violence against Native women.”
“The Violence Against Women Act helps us provide safe shelter, counseling, and advocacy services to survivors of domestic violence and their dependents when they are at their most vulnerable. For years, we have been working towards reauthorization so that we can continue to help women and children in our community feel safe and supported. This is a proud day and we thank Rep. Davids for using her voice on behalf of survivors,” said LaDora Lattimore, former executive director-CEO of Friends of Yates.
“Safehome is thankful for the support of Kansas legislators in reauthorizing VAWA. We are also thankful for the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence and our partner domestic violence and sexual assault agencies in the state of Kansas for coming together to advocate for this legislation,” said Heidi Wooten, president and CEO of Safehome Kansas. “The reauthorization of VAWA will save lives. This reauthorization means ongoing financial support for Safehome’s legal advocacy program for survivors. We look forward to continuing to work together to serve survivors in our community.”
Rep. Davids presided over the floor during House passage of VAWA in 2019 and helped secure strong measures to addresses the crisis of violence against Native women and girls in the final reauthorization, including by:
• Expanding special Tribal jurisdiction and restoring Tribes’ ability to hold non-Native perpetrators accountable if they commit sexual assault, child abuse, staking, sex trafficking, or assault a Tribal law enforcement officer in Indian Country.
• Improving information sharing between federal and Tribal law enforcement and allowing greater access to criminal databases.
• Creating new positions within the Department of Justice to coordinate culturally specific VAWA programs
• Providing greater technical assistance for Tribes and communities applying for related grants
“Since its establishment in 2003, the NCAI Task Force on Violence Against Women has advocated alongside survivors, Tribal Nations, and domestic violence advocates to restore tribal jurisdiction and protect our communities from the highest crime victimization rates in the country,” said President Shannon Holsey, NCAI treasurer and NCAI Task Force on Violence Against Women co-chair. “This VAWA reauthorization goes beyond just restoring our inherent tribal jurisdiction to protect our communities, it creates another powerful tool to address the epidemic of Missing Murdered Indigenous Women across Indian Country.”
- Information from Rep. Sharice Davids’ office