Nita Lowey: “last March I was honored to be in Southeast Asia. We heard the terrifying stories of trafficking victims and spoke with…”

“last March I was honored to be in Southeast Asia. We heard the terrifying stories of trafficking victims and spoke with dedicated individuals who have devoted their lives to helping those women. Today, we have the opportunity to assure these women and children that they are not alone; that the international community recognizes their struggle and is committed to putting an end to this barbaric practice. This legislation devotes critical funds to helping foreign governments fight trafficking and assist their victims, and pledges the full force of U.S. law to stopping this practice here at home. This is an important step, and I support it wholeheartedly. I am especially delighted that this conference report contains the reauthorization of the landmark Violence Against Women Act. For those of us who have been fighting for VAWA, today is a cause for celebration. But more importantly, this bill represents a major victory for the millions of American women who cannot advocate for themselves, women who suffer abuse in silence and in shame, women whose lives and liberty are jeopardized due to gender-based violence. It used to be that victims of domestic violence and sexual assault were ostracized by their communities, ignored by law enforcement, and even shunned by their own families. But VAWA has played a major role in changing that. It significantly bolstered criminal penalties for sex offenses, stalking, and domestic violence.”