The program is designed to improve the criminal justice system response to domestic violence and ensure survivors and their families have access to the services they need to safely rebuild their lives
By Tom Waring
The Times
U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Karen Bass, a California Democrat, last week introduced a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.
The program, which expired earlier this year, is designed to improve the criminal justice system response to domestic violence and ensure survivors and their families have access to the services they need to safely rebuild their lives.
Fitzpatrick and advocates from Doylestown-based A Woman’s Place and Jamison-based Network of Victim Assistance spoke at a news conference in Washington, D.C. about the local benefit of VAWA programs.
“Congress must continue to aggressively combat domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking by swiftly reauthorizing the bipartisan Violence Against Women Act,” Fitzpatrick said. “While there is still considerable work to be done, VAWA has drastically improved our nation’s response to safeguarding women and children from abuse and anguish. Congress has historically reauthorized VAWA with broad bipartisan agreement.”
The bill updates current law by expanding housing protections for survivors and expanding relevant training for school-based and campus health centers. It includes services for young people to combat bullying and educates youth on how to prevent violence.
The bill also includes Fitzpatrick’s Combat Online Predators Act, which will increase penalties for cyberstalking, especially against minors, and require federal law enforcement officials to constantly evaluate and update practices to combat this online harassment. ••
