Washington, DC –– Representative Mikie Sherrill voted today in favor of the bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 (VAWA), of which she's an original cosponsor. This bill renews and strengthens the protections and grants established in the landmark 1994 legislation that expired in 2018. An earlier version of the legislation passed in the House in 2019 but did not receive consideration in the Senate.
"During the pandemic, we have seen a concerning rise in domestic violence cases across the country and here in New Jersey due to the increased social isolation and stress. The need for services such as housing access for survivors, closing the boyfriend loophole in our gun laws, and broadening of protections for the LGBTQ+ community have never been more important," said Rep. Sherrill. "It is reprehensible that Senate Republicans allowed the critical protections outlined in the Violence Against Women Act to lapse in the last Congress, despite its continued necessity and broad support among the American public. I strongly urge the Senate to send VAWA to the president's desk to be signed into law."
In 1994, the introduction of VAWA was spearheaded by then-Senator Joe Biden. In 2021, Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18), Jerry Nadler (D-NY-10), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) introduced this bill in the House. Today, twenty-nine Republicans voted in favor of VAWA, with a final vote of 244-172.
Local stakeholders and organizations in North Jersey voiced their support of the bill and the critical need for it to be signed into law.
"Congresswoman Sherrill's sponsoring of the 2021 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) last week and vote today, following her support of VAWA last Congress, is an example of her unwavering support of families impacted by domestic violence in our community. Because of legislators like Congresswoman Sherrill, the House voted to pass this legislation that not only maintains established protections but also addresses persistent gaps in services. This includes additional housing protections, protection from abusers with guns, justice for survivors on tribal land and increased prevention funding and more. JBWS is incredibly fortunate to have an ally such as Congresswoman Sherrill advocating on behalf of victims of domestic violence and their families," said Diane Williams, President and CEO of JBWS.
"Rachel Coalition, a division of Jewish Family Service of Metrowest, is a leading provider of legal and counseling services to victims of domestic violence in NJ. VAWA is a crucial piece of legislation that allows programs like ours to serve the victim/survivor community. We thank Congresswoman Sherrill and all of our NJ legislators for supporting our program by voting in favor of VAWA," said Tara Halpern, Attorney and Pro Bono Coordinator for the Rachel Coalition of the Jewish Family Service of Metrowest.
"Partners for Women & Justice congratulates Rep. Sherrill for her leadership role in the House passage of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization of 2021. During COVID, victims of domestic violence and sexual assault have endured hardship upon hardship, making reauthorization of VAWA more important than ever. VAWA 2021 will provide essential support to survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault including greatly increased funding for culturally specific programs, prevention services, legal services, and expanded housing and unemployment protections, which will enable more survivors to leave an abusive relationship. Partners thanks Rep. Sherrill for her commitment to ending gender based violence," said Trish Perlmutter, Policy Counsel for Partners for Women and Justice.
"COVID-19 exposed and exacerbated the barriers survivors face, especially those within marginalized communities, such as limiting survivors' ability to leave home. It is essential now, more than ever, to vote to reauthorize VAWA, so DASI can continue providing life-saving services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking, and stalking. We are so grateful for Congresswoman Sherill's support," said Kim Spangenberg, CEO of Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Intervention Services (DASI).
According to statistics gathered by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, at least 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience some form of severe intimate partner violence. In New Jersey, an estimated 36% of New Jersey women and 28% of New Jersey men experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner rape and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes. The coronavirus pandemic has caused a spike in intimate partner violence.
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