NAACP: Pass the Violence Against Women Act
Dr. Marjorie Innocent, Senior Director of Health Programs NAACP | FRNJ Informer-Op Ed
The painful truth facing women is that they continue to
deal with oppression each and every day. We are at a crucial time in this fight
and we must take action now.
Twenty-five years ago, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was signed into
law, and it has been the most effective piece of legislation ever enacted to
end domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
From improving law enforcement’s ability to respond to
gender-based violence to providing support for women to overcome abusive
situations, VAWA has saved the lives of countless women and children.
But VAWA expired this February, and a new bill
which would reauthorize and add critical enhancements to VAWA still needs to be
approved by the Senate. Act now to stand with women and urge both of your
Senators to reauthorize VAWA.
Recently we have seen an uptick in survivors of abuse and assault coming
forward to share their stories. The Senate must know that programs and
protections created by VAWA increase survivors’ access to safety and support,
and that any rollbacks to its existing protections are unacceptable.
Women deserve to be free from oppression. We have come too far in our struggle
to go back now. Contact your Senators today.
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