Kay Hagan: “I rise to join my colleagues in calling for passage of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. I am disheartened…”

“I rise to join my colleagues in calling for passage of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. I am disheartened that in the last several months petty, partisan gamesmanship has held up this legislation. Since VAWA originally passed on a bipartisan basis in 1994, the annual incidence of domestic violence has decreased by 53 percent. Many victims are now reporting incidents of abuse rather than hiding in fear. Reports of abuse have increased by 51 percent. This law has transformed our criminal justice system and victim support services. The law has worked well because it encourages collaboration among law enforcement, health and housing professionals, and community organizations to help prevent and respond to intimate partner violence. In one recent instance in my State, a man was on pretrial release after being charged with stalking his wife. Thanks to the STOP grants funding--which provide services and training for our officers and prosecutors--he was being monitored. This individual was being electronically monitored and was caught violating the conditions of his release when he went to his estranged wife's home. The supervising officer was immediately notified of this violation and police officers found the man with the help of the GPS and arrested him in his estranged wife's driveway. Thank goodness this woman was protected and this incident did not add another victim to the 73 deaths caused by domestic violence each year in North Carolina.…”