Urging Congress to pass H.R. 1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019.
The resolution supports the enhancement of provisions aimed at combatting gender-based violence, including domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. It seeks to further improve victim services, enforce stricter responses from healthcare systems, and bolster legal frameworks to hold perpetrators accountable. Importantly, it aims to create a safer environment within educational institutions while also addressing the economic ramifications of such violence on survivors, aiming for better housing security and legal support, particularly for American Indian and Alaska Native women.
HCR170 is a Concurrent Resolution urging the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019. The resolution emphasizes the importance of reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in the ongoing battle against gender-based violence. It underlines the serious repercussions of such violence on survivors, impacting their health, education, job stability, and housing. Advocates for the resolution highlight the ongoing necessity for legislative support to protect vulnerable populations and provide essential resources necessary for safeguarding against gender-based violence.
The resolution is grounded in the assertion that despite a decrease in violence rates since the inception of VAWA in 1994, there still exists a pressing need for additional protections and resources to combat gender-based violence effectively. By urging Congress to pass the reauthorization bill, HCR170 places a heightened emphasis on the need for tailored legal tools and comprehensive strategies to facilitate justice for survivors, while fostering a supportive environment tailored to their unique challenges. Discussions might arise around the balance between federal and state responsibility in enforcing these provisions, and whether the proposed enhancements are sufficient to address the current landscape of gender-based violence.