Violence Against Women Act Saves Lives, But More Funding is Needed

October 22, 2009

By Qing Luo, NOW Legal Intern

Fifteen years ago, the landmark Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was passed by Congress and has become a valuable instrument in reducing violent acts against women. Statistics tell the story. Between 1993 and 2008, the rate of intimate partner violence against females declined 53 percent and the overall rate of female homicides fell 43 percent from 4.18 to 2.38 homicides per 100,000 female U.S. residents from 1993 to 2007.¹ Despite this commendable progress, an average of four women each day die as a result of partner abuse!

The federal government, many state governments, state domestic violence networks and local programs are making an concerted effort to help survivors of domestic violence and to increase public understanding of and opposition to domestic violence. Local law enforcement officials, generally, now recognize domestic violence as a potentially lethal problem, not merely a family argument. Police no longer walk away, but take violent behavior and violent threats seriously. Perpetrators face jail time, restraining orders and are often ordered to counseling. More women are overcoming the age-old stigma associated with being abused by a spouse or partner and are coming forward to ask for help.

But this great work can only be continued and expanded by the Violence Against Women Act when it comes up for reauthorization in 2010.

On the first of this month, President Obama declared October as the National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. He asked "all Americans to do their part to end domestic violence in this country by supporting their communities' efforts to assist victims in finding the help and healing they need."

The president noted that $325 million funding was provided for VAWA and Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) programs at the community level to help survivors of violence during times of economic hardship. Funding came from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed earlier this year in response to a declining economy and increasing joblessness. Aside from that special grant, VAWA funds had been authorized at $685 million for the current fiscal year, but the Bush administration allocated only $415 million. This pattern of under-allocating VAWA funds persisted throughout the Bush years and limited the important work that networks and shelters can do to save lives.

Domestic violence has been a malignant tumor in U.S. society for a long time, and the problem has intensified during the current economic recession. A federally funded program created by VAWA, the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) saw a significant increase in calls in the third quarter of 2008 and found that in their study, 54 percent of the victims reported a change in their household financial situation in the past year and 64 percent said that they believe the abusive behavior had increased over the period. Shelters around the country report increased demand for services; some say they are overwhelmed with the number of women seeking help. Recently, NOW reported on the increase in violence against women during the recession.

NOW was also shocked by a succession of family murder-suicides news in Ohio, Minnesota, Maryland and California. In each case, the father who killed all family members and then committed suicide had been facing financial problems. The bad economy not only worsens the rates of abuse between adults but also between adolescents. A survey found that 44 percent of teenagers whose families have experienced economic problems in the past year have witnessed abuse between their parents, and 67 percent of those teens have experienced violence in their peer relationships.

Studies verify that the economic recession is raising the rate of domestic violence. Job loss and declines in income lead to more tension in violent relationships. Out-of-work abusers have more opportunity to batter. But experts emphasize that the recession is not the direct cause of violent behavior, it just provides another excuse for a perpetrator to act on his anger and frustration.

Additionally, the weakened economy has a significant impact on social service programs and domestic violence shelters because state budgets have cut back on these services. According to a national census in 2008 conducted by the National Network to End Domestic Violence of domestic violence program services, in just one day, a lack of resources meant that over 8,927 requests for assistance could not be met, placing many women and children in danger. Without adequate resources to receive domestic violence services, victims have no choice but to return to their abusers.

In California, six domestic violence shelters were forced to close in July due to Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's elimination of $20 million in state funding for those shelters and over 90 other domestic violence programs. About $3 million in emergency funding from the federal government was provided, and last week the California legislature approved a bill authorizing $16.3 million for these programs.

The federal Violence Against Women Act is set to be reauthorized next year and advocates are busy working on proposals for new measures increasing program effectiveness. With the national census of domestic violence services showing that there is a huge unmet need for more services, it is clear that VAWA funding must be dramatically increased. We will need to urge our senators and representatives to support improvements and increased funding. Let your voice be heard!

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More Information:

Department of Justice and the Office on Violence Against Women

Domestic Violence Counts 2008: A 24-hour census of domestic violence shelter and services across the United States.