Our Mission

WHAT IS THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT?

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a landmark piece of legislation that sought to improve criminal justice and community-based responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking in the United States.

The passage of VAWA in 1994 and its re-authorization in 2000, 2005 and 2013, has changed the landscape for victims who once suffered in silence. Victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking have been able to access services, and a new generation of families and justice system professionals has come to understand that domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking are crimes that our society will not tolerate.

nnedv.org/content/violence-against-women-act/

The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) provides the primary federal funding stream dedicated to the support of emergency shelter and supportive services for victims of domestic violence and their dependents. For 35 years the Department of Health and Human Services, Family Violence Prevention and Services Program has improved the capacity of health and social service agencies’ responses to domestic violence through comprehensive training and technical assistance. The FVPSA Program’s capacity building has resulted in system improvements; increased knowledge sharing; and community level coordination among domestic violence programs, health, and social service agencies. FVPSA funded grantees provide shelter, emergency services, community-based supports, and technical assistance in each US state and territory. This funding has resulted in improved capacity for how health centers; head start programs; child support agencies, and TANF agencies respond to the issue of domestic violence and connect their clients to community-based services and hotlines.

http://www.learnaboutfvpsa.com/