Domestic violence law/ VAWA/ gender-based violence protections/ Biden VAWA efforts/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ Marking the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), President Biden announced new initiatives to address online harassment and housing issues for domestic violence survivors. Biden, who originally championed the bill, highlighted ongoing efforts, including $690 million in Justice Department grants to strengthen protections. VAWA’s impact on reducing domestic violence remains significant, though challenges persist.
Violence Against Women Act 30th Anniversary Quick Looks:
- President Biden marked the 30th anniversary of the landmark Violence Against Women Act.
- The White House announced new measures to tackle online harassment and assist survivors with housing.
- Domestic violence rates have dropped significantly since VAWA’s passage, with a 67% reduction in cases.
- Over $690 million in grants will support electronic protection orders and combat online gender-based violence.
- The law’s 2022 reauthorization was delayed due to debates on closing the “boyfriend loophole” related to gun control.
Biden Marks 30 Years of Violence Against Women Act, Unveils New Initiatives
Deep Look:
On Thursday, President Joe Biden marked the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) by unveiling new initiatives aimed at addressing emerging challenges faced by survivors of domestic violence, particularly in the areas of online harassment and housing. Biden, who authored the original legislation as a U.S. senator in 1994, will highlight the law’s success in reshaping how the nation approaches domestic violence and gender-based crimes. Over the past three decades, VAWA has played a critical role in shifting the perception of domestic abuse from a private matter to one demanding public and legal attention.
To commemorate this significant milestone, the White House is introducing several key initiatives. One of the primary focuses will be combating the growing issue of online harassment and abuse, a modern form of gender-based violence that law enforcement agencies often find challenging to address. Along with this, federal agencies are taking steps to improve housing options for domestic violence survivors, who frequently struggle to find safe housing while trying to escape abusive situations. Survivors living in federally funded homes will be reminded of their rights to emergency housing transfers as part of a broader effort to ensure safety and support.
Biden, speaking at the event, is expected to reaffirm his administration’s dedication to preventing domestic violence and expanding protections for survivors. This includes announcing that the Justice Department will provide more than $690 million in new grant funding. These grants will fund various strategies, including electronic protection orders, which allow for quicker, more efficient legal protections for victims, and enhanced efforts to fight online gender-based violence.
The Violence Against Women Act has been instrumental in reducing domestic violence rates in the United States. According to FBI statistics, domestic violence incidents have fallen by 67% between 1993 and 2022, while rapes and sexual assaults have dropped by 56%. Biden has long been vocal about the importance of the law, recalling his fight for its passage in the 1990s and his commitment to making gender-based violence a national issue.
“Too long, we ignored the right of women to live free from the fear of violence,” Biden said during a 1990 Senate hearing on domestic violence. It was this determination that helped push VAWA forward, gaining bipartisan support when it was signed into law in 1994. The act has since provided crucial resources to survivors and funded programs designed to protect victims, prosecute abusers, and prevent future violence.
While VAWA was reauthorized in 2022, its path to renewal was not without challenges. A major point of contention in the renewal process was the so-called “boyfriend loophole.” Under federal law, those convicted of domestic violence offenses can lose their right to possess firearms, but this only applied if the offender was married to or living with the victim, or if they had a child together. The law did not extend to former dating partners or stalkers, a gap that many advocates argued put women at risk. Attempts to expand the gun restrictions to include those convicted of misdemeanor stalking and dating violence faced stiff opposition from the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Republicans in Congress. Democrats ultimately dropped the provision to secure the law’s passage.
However, the issue was addressed later in the bipartisan gun safety legislation that Biden signed into law in 2022. This new measure closes the loophole by preventing individuals convicted of misdemeanor crimes in dating relationships from purchasing or owning firearms for five years.
As the Biden administration looks ahead, there is a strong emphasis on building upon the progress made by VAWA, ensuring that survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and gender-based violence receive the protections and support they need. While significant strides have been made, White House gender policy adviser Jen Klein emphasized that the fight is far from over. “We know there is much work to be done to prevent and end gender-based violence,” Klein said, pointing to the need for continued reforms and initiatives.
