Call to Action: VAWA Reauthorization

As of Monday, February 28, neither Senator Graham nor Senator Scott have signed on as co-sponsors. There are currently 21 co-sponsors (including 11 Republicans).

We urge you to contact our SC Senators’ offices to let them know how critical this legislation is to continued work to end sexual and domestic violence. Scroll to the bottom of this page for draft communications and direct links to contact their offices. Remember, all calls and emails will be tabulated, so let’s all do our part to ensure our SC Senators know that constituents support this bill.

From our national partners: 

• NNEDV’s Statement on the introduction of the VAWA Reauthorization Act of 2022
• Two-pager on the bill from the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence
• Social Media Toolkit to show support for this bill (included graphics)
• Links to NNEDV’s Facebook, Twitter & Instagram posts that can easily be liked/shared.

H.R. 1620 – House Bill Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 (bipartisan)

This is a slightly updated version of H. 1585 which passed in 2019, but was not taken up by the Senate.

Among other provisions, HR 1585 (and now this new VAWA bill):

• Enhances and expands victim services;
• Increases funding for prevention programs;
• Ends impunity for non-Native perpetrators of sexual assault, child abuse and elder abuse co-occurring with domestic violence, stalking, sex trafficking, and assaults on tribal law enforcement officers on tribal lands;
• Protects victims of dating violence from firearm homicide (aka closes the boyfriend loophole);
• Ensures compliance with VAWA non-discrimination requirements and guarantee equal access to VAWA protections for all victims regardless of gender;
• Provides economic justice responses that help survivors access unemployment insurance and help to clarify what constitutes economic abuse;
• Maintains existing protections for all survivors; and
• Improves the healthcare system’s response to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.

Additional Information and Previous Updates

Update January 7, 2022: The introduction of a bi-partisan VAWA reauthorization bill in the Senate is expected by the end of January 2022.

Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Joni Ernst (R-lowa), Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) released a joint statement on December 16, 2021 that outlined their agreement on a framework for reauthorization that recognizes the importance of VAWA in preventing violence, supporting survivors and increasing accountability for offenders.

“We are committed to introducing a bipartisan, modernized VAWA reauthorization next month. Every day that goes by without action puts lives at risk, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that this framework becomes law as soon as possible.”

It will be critical to build momentum in support of this bill to encourage and attain 60 Senators to vote YES in order to ensure its passage. We hope all of you will take action and contact our S.C. Senators (click on the buttons below) to let them know that you #StandwithSurvivors.

Update March 18, 2021: Late yesterday evening (3/17/2021), H.R. 1620 passed in the House of Representatives, 244-172 with bipartisan support. We are thankful to Congressman Clyburn for his willingness to #StandWithSurvivors and vote yes on this bill.

Update March 16, 2021: This bill is being fast-tracked with the hope of passage by April. It is expected to be on the floor this week. Although 170 co-sponsors have signed on to the bill, no members of the South Carolina delegation are currently listed.

Now is the time to call/email your Senator and urge them to swiftly pass the VAWA Reauthorization.

The National Task Force to End Sexual & Domestic Violence has drafted the following talking points for your use.