WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – Congresswoman Susan Davis marked 20 years since President Bill Clinton signed the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) on September 13, 1994 with a call to redouble efforts to end violence against women.
“In the two decades since the enactment of the Violence Against Women Act, we have seen some real progress in protecting women and children,” said Davis. “But as we are seeing recently in media reports of incidents across the country there is still plenty of work to do. A life lived in fear is no life at all. Women should be able to feel secure at home, the workplace and in our neighborhoods.”
Davis is an original cosponsor of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (H.R. 11) to strengthen the abilities of the federal government, states, law enforcement, and service providers to combat domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
In 2012, Davis fought against efforts by the House majority to weaken VAWA. Supporters of full reauthorization prevailed in March 2013 when Congress sent the Senate version of H.R. 11 to President Obama for his signature. The latest reauthorization of VAWA strengthens protections for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, Native American women and undocumented immigrants.
As campus sexual assault is on the rise, Davis recently introduced the Survivor Outreach and Support (S.O.S.) Campus Act to establish an independent victims advocate on campus.
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In her role as Ranking Member of the Military Personnel Subcommittee, Davis has been instrumental in establishing new policies to combat sexual assault in the military.
VAWA has been critical landmark legislation, instituting stricter sentencing guidelines for repeat federal sex crime offenders and providing resources to tribal, local, and state law enforcement communities to address violent crimes against women. VAWA funds training for over 500,000 law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges and other personnel every year. In addition, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, which responds to more than 22,000 urgent calls for help every month, was also created under this legislation. Davis will continue to work to champion and strengthen this vital, life-saving law.
Congresswoman Davis represents the 53rd Congressional District, which includes La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley and parts of San Diego, El Cajon, and Chula Vista. She is senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, serving as the Ranking Member of the Military Personnel Subcommittee. She also serves on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
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Preceding provided by U.S. Rep. Susan Davis, D-San Diego