U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today praised the President’s signing of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization, HR 3402. As a co-sponsor of the original VAWA of 2005 (the bill was later combined with other legislation prior to passage), Smith worked to ensure that funds were provided for programs that help the victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault and violence while at the same time focusing on the prevention and raising awareness of these crimes. Additionally, Smith was a key negotiator in the VAWA reauthorization bill in 2000 when it was attached to his Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-386). 

    “The Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization signed by President Bush today will empower us to continue making progress in the fight against domestic violence,” said Smith. "Since becoming law in 1994, VAWA has been effective tool that has protected women from an assortment of crimes including domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.”

    One of the key provisions of HR 3402 reauthorizes and enhances the Services and Training for Officers and Prosecutors (STOP) grants. Referred to as the cornerstone of VAWA, the STOP program provides state formula grants that bring police and prosecutors together in close collaboration with victim services providers. Today’s action authorizes over $1 billion over the next five years for STOP grants.

    In addition, the bill mandates a coordinated campaign to increase public awareness of domestic violence; provides transitional housing for victims; reauthorizes the Attorney General to develop criteria and training programs for probation officers, parole officers and others who work with released sex offenders; and requires studies and reports on the effectiveness of certain grants in combating domestic and sexual violence. 

    The Violence Against Women Act reauthorization extends core programs to aid and protect victims of domestic violence and contains new provisions to enhance our ability to combat violence against women and children. Specifically, the act will:

• Increase funding for rape crisis centers;
• Increase funding to combat violent crimes on campuses;
• Place special victim assistants in local law enforcement agencies to serve as liaisons between law enforcement and victims;
• Create a separate stream of funding dedicated to sexual assault services;
• Create a new program to improve teenagers’ access to the courts;
• Create a national education curriculum for state and national judicial educators to ensure that all courts have access to information about relevant laws and best practices.

    “This important legislation will allow us to build upon the successes of the original Violence Against Women Act in 1994 by ensuring that law enforcement personnel are properly trained and equipped and women have access to the available assistance,” said Smith. “The Violence Against Women Act has no doubt saved lives and empowered women across our country.”