Blumenthal Highlights Importance of Strengthening Violence Against Women Act

(Washington, DC) – Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today discussed how to improve and strengthen the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing which included testimony from Dr. Phil McGraw and other anti-domestic violence advocates from across the country. The Violence Against Women Act will come before the Senate for reauthorization this year for the third time since its enactment in 1994. A strong supporter of the law, Senator Blumenthal has been a longtime advocate of measures to eliminate violence against women and raise awareness of the issues around domestic violence.

“Today’s hearing underscores the importance of reauthorizing and strengthening this historic piece of legislation, which has made huge strides over the last seventeen years to help protect women and children in Connecticut and across the country, and keep them safe in their homes and communities.  VAWA creates and supports critical violence prevention measures and education programs, as well as measures to assist survivors of domestic violence,” said Blumenthal. “I look forward to working toward its reauthorization, and am confident that we will find ways to improve VAWA further and continue the fight against domestic violence.”

In the hearing, Blumenthal cited the ongoing efforts of Interval House to combat incidences of domestic violence in Connecticut.

VAWA encourages collaboration among law enforcement, judicial personnel, and public and private service providers to prevent domestic and sexual violence and to support survivors. It seeks to increase public awareness of domestic violence while addressing the special needs of survivors, including the elderly, disabled, children, youth, and individuals of minority ethnic and racial communities.  VAWA also authorizes long-term and transitional housing for victims and requires studies and reports on the effectiveness of approaches used for certain grants in combating violence.  

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