THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT (VAWA)

1. THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT (VAWA) Funding and Authorization August 11, 2010

2. Violence Against Women • Why is this issue so important and why is this issue so timely? • The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

3. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)Chronology • 1994: first comprehensive federal legislation package to address violence against women • First Reauthorization: 2000 • Second Reauthorization: 2005 • Third Reauthorization: 2011

4. VAWA Appropriations • Over 15 years, more than $9 billion has flowed to states, courts and non-profits to improve services for victims and the civil and criminal justice systems’ response. • The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) appropriated an additional $225 million for VAWA, primarily to enable domestic violence shelters and rape crisis centers to hire more counselors.

6. Programs Created by VAWA 2005 Children & Youth Exposed to Violence • $3 million program for services for children and support for non-abusing parent or caretaker • Combined into AG’s $37M Initiative this year • Now, Family Violence (larger than DV) is one of three priority areas • Emphasis on Coordinated Community Response • Launched soon as a larger collaborative effort with OJP and COPS

7. Programs Created by VAWA 2005 (cont.) Engaging Men & Youth • Primary Prevention program for public education campaign and program work with youth and youth serving organizations STARY -- Respond to youth who are victims Court Training & Improvements Program • Award notifications for all three programs on a rolling basis in late Sept./October; One Pagers on Info Table

8. Programs Created by VAWA 2005 (cont.) STEP (Supporting Teens Through Education and Protection) • Aims to help middle and high schools address violence and abuse • Partners/subgrantees need to be DV AND SA service providers and can be law enforcement or nonprofits working with schools on bullying or gang violence or other NGOs that address youth issues • Grants can be used for training of school personnel, referral and support services, policy development, educational programming, and mentoring programs • Funded at $2.5M • Solicitation should be released between November-January

9. Expected Funding Increases • Sexual Assault Services Program • $15M increase • FVPSA • $10M increase • Transitional Housing • $7M increase • Civil Legal Assistance for Victims • $9M increase

10. Priorities of Office of Violence Against Women

11. Helpful Links Check out Office of Violence Against Women’s website for new funding opportunitieswww.ovw.usdoj.gov NNEDV’s Appropriations Briefing Book: http://www.nnedv.org/docs/Policy/fy10briefingbook.pdf

12. VAWA’s Next Reauthorization: 2011 • Process • Subject Matter

13. Reauthorization: Process • National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women • Working groups • Information gathering • Timing and effects of the economy

14. Reauthorization: Subject Matter • Continuation of funding at level or increased amounts • Expansion to cover all four crimes • Unfinished business: populations and issues that remain unaddressed

15. Unfinished Business • Teen Dating Violence • Violence Against Women: Military context • Violence Against Women in later life • FVPF will sponsor two calls in September to hear from you

16. Prospects For Progress

17. Contact Info. Sally Schaeffer, Family Violence Prevention Fund – Sally@endabuse.org • 202-595-7384 or C: 571-277-6423 Lisalyn Jacobs – ljacobs@legalmomentum.org • (202) 326-0042