Nancy Pelosi: “for 10 years, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has strengthened communities and provided critical, life- saving…”

“for 10 years, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has strengthened communities and provided critical, life- saving support to victims of violence. VAWA has meant that no victim of violence has to suffer in silence. This legislation has been a tremendous success in addressing an appalling problem: since VAWA was enacted in 1994, states have passed more than 660 laws to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. The National Domestic Violence Hotline has answered more than 1 million calls. VAWA has strengthened communities across the country and saved countless lives. But we can and must do more. Women should feel safe whether in public or private: In their workplace, in their homes, and walking on the street. Yet many women continue to live in fear. One in three American women report being physically or sexually abused by a partner at some point in their lives, and more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in this country every day. We cannot tolerate the violence, abuse, and sexual assault that pervade our communities. As a nation, we must fight this epidemic in every way possible. Today, the House reauthorized VAWA, making dramatic improvements to the existing law by establishing new rape crisis centers and increasing grants for community organizations that work to prevent and eliminate domestic violence.…”