WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and bipartisan group of colleagues recently co-introduced the bipartisan Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization Act. The bill, which would reauthorize VAWA through 2027, preserves advancements made in previous reauthorizations and includes a number of additional improvements to the current law.

VAWA was enacted in 1994 to support survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The law provides federal resources and technical support for programs that assist victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking, including children, teenagers, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and Native Americans.

The 2022 VAWA reauthorization would expand efforts in North Carolina to combat these crimes by aiding domestic violence prevention and support organizations, protecting survivors, and promoting safer communities for women and families.

“I’m proud to be an original co-sponsor of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, which will enhance the tools we have to prevent and punish violent crimes and provide more support and resources for victims, survivors, and law enforcement,” said Senator Tillis. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on getting this critical legislation quickly passed and signed into law.”

Key sections of the 2022 VAWA reauthorization legislation include:

• Improving the Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors (STOP) grant program to support responding law enforcement and require prosecutors to include best practices.
• Significantly increasing the authorized amount of grant funding to support domestic violence prevention and response organizations that provide victim services.
• Reauthorizing funding for violence reduction and prevention programs.
• Directly tackling the shortage of health professionals who perform medical sexual assault forensic examinations.
• Expanding access to safe housing for victims.
• Empowering law enforcement by providing additional tools to enhance public safety.
• Increasing enforcement of cybercrimes and supports victims of “revenge porn.”
• Increasing authorized funding for responses to child abuse and child sex crimes.

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