The Violence Against Women Act

                           The Violence Against Women Act


  The Violence Against Women Act was enacted in 1994, and renewed again last week. What this act purports to do is provide a national strategy to hold offenders accountable, and programs to provide victims with services to achieve safety and rebuild their lives. This is all good, and needed in our society. The fact that this Act is needed is a troubling reminder of the reality that there is so much violence against women in our society.

  However, with the budget impasse and sequestration being implemented by the Federal Government, the very programs that are involved in trying to decrease all kinds of violence against women will experience the effects of the imminent crisis facing our government. 

  The establishment of a National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) is a step in the right direction, along with specialized training for police officers when dealing with domestic violence issues, along with a large array of other services to help promote the well-being and welfare of women in vulnerable circumstances. Laws and Acts can help, but education is the road to change.

~Kathy~