Status Update of Federal Domestic Violence Law

Immigrant women, including those who are undocumented, will receive enhanced protection against domestic violence under an updated version of the federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which was approved by Congress after a year-long fight and sent to President Obama for his signature on February 28. The Act, originally put into effect in 1994, lapsed in 2012 because of opposition by Republicans in the House of Representatives over changes proposed by the Senate to expand protection for immigrants and several other groups.

The Senate passed its VAWA reauthorization by a bipartisan 78-22 vote, but progress stalled in the House. But after a GOP-sponsored bill, which deleted the new protections, failed to pass, the House took up the Senate bill and it passed 286 – 138, with many Republicans joining Democrats. The bill was sent to the White House to President Obama, who had supported the Senate changes.

VAWA is considered by supporters to be an integral part of national efforts to prevent violence and more effectively bring to justice those who attack their domestic partners. The law offers grants to state and local governments for law enforcement efforts, training, hotlines, and legal help and transitional housing for victims. The reauthorization includes specific protections which were not part of the original law for undocumented immigrants and victims on university campuses. There is also enhanced legal coverage for Native American women and lesbian, bisexual, transgender and transsexual women.

FOR HELP:

• If you are in immediate danger call 911 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.

• To reach DVRP, the Asian & Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project, visit www.dvrp.org or call 202-464-4477, Monday-Friday, 10a.m. – 6p.m. Their advocates speak Cantonese, Farsi, Hindi, Hmong, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Nepali, Punjabi, Tagalog, Thai, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

• The Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center provides direct legal representation to Asian victims of domestic violence in Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C. and suburban Maryland. Call 202-393-3572 or visit www.apalrc.org.