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The Violence Against Women Act: An Overview

On January 5, 2006, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 2005 was signed into law by U.S. President George W. Bush.  VAWA reauthorizes existing programs to combat domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking, and creates new programs to meet the emerging needs of communities working to prevent violence.

VAWA 2005 takes a more holistic approach to addressing violence against women.  In addition to enhancing criminal and civil justice and community-based responses to violence, VAWA 2005 creates notable new focus areas such as:

• Developing prevention strategies to stop violence before it starts;
• Protecting individuals from unfair eviction due to their status as victims of domestic violence or stalking;
• Creating the first federal funding stream to support rape crisis centers;
• Developing culturally- and linguistically-specific services for communities;
• Enhancing programs and services for victims with disabilities; and
• Broadening VAWA service provisions to include children and teenagers.

Initially passed in 1994, VAWA created the first U.S. federal legislation acknowledging domestic violence and sexual assault as crimes, and provided federal resources to encourage community-coordinated responses to combating violence.  Its reauthorization in 2000 improved the foundation established by VAWA 1994 by creating a much-needed legal assistance program for victims and by expanding the definition of crime to include dating violence and stalking.

NNEDV has been a leading force in efforts to reauthorize VAWA.  NNEDV and its member state domestic violence coalitions also played a crucial role in the passage of VAWA in 1994 and its reauthorization in 2000.

NNEDV is currently working with state coalitions and national organizations to ensure that VAWA is fully funded by the U.S. Congress.

Learn More About VAWA:

• VAWA 2005 Fact Sheet
• Section By Section Summary of VAWA 2005
• The Violence Against Women Act of 2005
  The full text of the "Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005" as signed into law on Jan. 5, 2006.
• VAWA 2005 Technical Corrections
  These corrections amended VAWA 2005, fixing minor errors.