Abusers shouldn’t have access to guns.
What kind of government refuses to protect victims of domestic violence because they’re afraid of lobbyists?
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Authorization for the Violence Against Women Act lapsed in February, because the U.S. Senate appears more afraid of the NRA than they are of violent abusers. Let them know the public won't accept their cowardice.
- Amber & Katie
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was initially passed in 1994, putting $1.6 billion behind efforts to end intimate partner violence (IPV) and protect and support victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking. In February of this year, Congress allowed the VAWA to lapse. While it remains law and funding continues for FY 2019 and 2020, failing to reauthorize the bill means failing to close loopholes and expand protections, which could prevent deaths due to domestic violence every single day.
Why has such a critical piece of legislation been allowed to lapse? Three things: First, the updated version of the VAWA the House passed (with bipartisan support) in April expands protections for transgender people. Second, it would close jurisdictional gaps for tribal courts and enable tribes to more easily coordinate with federal organizations to protect Native victims of violence. Finally, it closes the “boyfriend loophole” to keep guns out of the hands of unmarried violent partners and stalkers.
Instead of reauthorizing the VAWA with these amendments, Republican Senators led by Joni Ernst have put together their own bill, which notably strips out closing the boyfriend loophole and the added protections for transgender and Native people. In addition to angering groups like Moms Demand Action, the National Congress of American Indians, the National LGBTQ Task Force, and law enforcement, the Senate bill has completely stalled in the Senate due to lack of support.
American women are 21 times more likely to be murdered by an intimate partner than women in other high-income countries. In any other country, this would be a dire emergency. The House version of VAWA--a bulwark against intimate partner violence in the US--should be passed immediately, without further partisan delay or kowtowing to the gun lobby.
Today The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) is calling for a “Twitter storm” demanding the passage of the House VAWA bill. They are requesting that people send at least one tweet at 2 PM EST, using the hashtag #VAWA4ALL, to call on the Senate to pass the bill. They also ask that you call or email your Senators and have provided a script, as well as an easy way to look up your Senators’ contact information.
Tweet your Senators at 2 PM today using the hashtag #VAWA4ALL to call on them to pass the House VAWA bill. If you miss the 2 PM tweet deadline, no worries! Go ahead and tweet whenever you get the chance.
Call, email or resistbot your Senators to do the same.
Sign the petition to pass the VAWA.
For people of all genders, know your rights regarding seeking shelter and support services if you are a survivor of intimate partner violence.
Learn about how better to support transgender survivors of intimate partner violence and the challenes transgender survivors face in seeking shelter and support services.
Listen to this NPR piece about how tribes want to close loopholes in the VAWA that leave Native children and victims of intimate partner violence, stalking, and sexual assault vulnerable.
Read this article about what changes need to be made to the VAWA and other legislation to better protect Native women.
Support organizations like the NCADV, Safe Horizon, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, The Network/La Red, the Coalition to Stop Violence against Native Women, and Mending the Sacred Hoop, which help IPV survivors.
Support organizations like Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety who are fighting at the local, state, and federal level to support legislation taking guns out of the hands of stalkers and abusers.
Revisit our September issue on “Ending Gun Violence.”
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Let us know how you’ve taken action using #LinkedAndLoud.
References
VAWA Is Unauthorized--Now What? | National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence
House Passes Reauthorization Of Violence Against Women Act | CNN
Transgender and Gun Rights Are Sticking Points for Violence Against Women Act | New York Times
Violence Against Women Act Must Include LGBT People | The LGBTQ Task Force
Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act with Strong Provisions for Native Women | Friends Committee on National Legislation
What The Violence Against Women Act Could Do In Indian Country — And One Major Flaw | High Country News
Senate VAWA Bill ‘Undercuts Tribal Sovereignty’ | Indian Country Today
The NRA Is Battling The Violence Against Women Act In Order To Sell More Guns | ELLE
Linked & Loud illuminates complex problems and connects readers with the individuals and organizations working to solve them. Each week, we go beyond horrifying headlines to empower readers to take progressive action.