Crow Votes to Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act

Press Release

Today, Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06) voted to pass H.R.1620, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) of 2021. First enacted in 1994, the bipartisan legislation protects victims and survivors of gender-based domestic violence by strengthening and renewing federal domestic violence protections and resources for women.

The first-of-its-kind Violence Against Women Act of 1994 gave our partners at the local, state, tribal, and federal levels a toolkit to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Each reauthorization of VAWA builds upon previous iterations and -- in consultation with victim service providers, law enforcement, and other experts -- proposes improvements to bridge remaining gaps in the law.

"The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic crisis has increased risks of abuse and isolated many women at home with their abusers," said Congressman Jason Crow. "Everyone deserves to live a safe and healthy life free from violence and fear. This bill will support victims and survivors in their darkest hour and guarantee them critical protections under the law."

Improvements to H.R. 1620, the Violence Against Women Act of 2021:

Protect victims of dating violence from firearm homicide by closing loopholes in current firearms laws in order to help prevent intimate partner and stalking homicides.
Include $60 million a year in additional funds for the Rape Prevention and Education Program (RPE).
Include an increase in funding for VAWA Consolidated Youth Grants.
Authorize $60 million for the Sexual Assault Services Program to match current demand.
Authorize funding for culturally specific organizations to provide victim services in Communities of Color.
Increase the authorization for Legal Assistance for Victims.
Advance the grant program that provides services to the victims of domestic violence and sexual assault who have disabilities and/or are Deaf.
Enhance the response to cases of missing and murdered women in tribal communities.
Strengthen the enforcement of housing rights for survivors and victims.
Include provisions to train health care providers to better prevent, recognize, and respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking -- particularly through Health, Resource, & Services Administration (HRSA) programs.
Increase access to housing for survivors and victims.
Boost the criminal justice response to gender-based violence.
In 2019, the Democratic-led House voted to reauthorize VAWA after it last expired in 2018. However, the Senate failed to bring VAWA 2020 to the Floor for a vote, despite broad bipartisan support.

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