Violence Against Women

Violence Against Women includes the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). The YWCA also supports legislation that ensures employment stability and economic security for victims of violence against women.

Violence Against Women Act

Violence against women and girls takes many forms, including domestic violence, stalking, rape, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, the trafficking, date rape, verbal abuse and harassment and hate crimes. These crimes impact millions of individuals and families in every community in our nation.

In 1994, Congress passed the landmark Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), a comprehensive approach to addressing and ending violence against women. VAWA established grants to create and improve law enforcement and prosecution strategies at the state and local levels and provides a framework for collaboration between federal, state and local governments; direct service providers; law enforcement personnel; prosecutors and the courts.

VAWA proves that it is possible to combat violence against women. Yet, there is more work to be done.

YWCA Position
The YWCA supports anti-violence policies that protect victims, hold perpetrators accountable, and work to eradicate sexual assault and domestic violence, trafficking of women and girls, and dating violence. Specifically, we support the continuance and full funding for the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and legislation that ensures employment stability and economic security for victims of violence against women.

Candidate Questions
What is your position on the Violence Against Women Act?

If elected what will you do to help prevent and end violence against women?

Victims of Crime Act Fund

In 1984 as part of the Victims of Crime Act, Congress created the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Fund. The Fund provides monetary support for victim assistance programs and victim compensation programs and is financed by money collected from penalties, fees and fines that have been paid by federal criminals. The Fund contains no taxpayer dollars.

VOCA is an important source of funding for addressing violence against women. VOCA funds rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters, counseling programs, support groups, advocacy, and case management services. VOCA also provides financial reimbursement to victims of violent crimes for out-of-pocket medical expenses and mental health counseling.

YWCA Position
The YWCA supports public policies that protect victims, hold perpetrators accountable and work to eradicate sexual assault, domestic violence, trafficking of women and girls, and dating violence. Specifically, the YWCA supports the continued and full funding for the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Fund in addition to supporting the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA).

Candidate Questions
What is your position on the Victim of Crime Act Fund?

Would you support raising the cap of the VOCA Fund ?

If elected what will you do to help prevent and end violence against women?