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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
COMMEMORATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT (VAWA)
WHEREAS, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on September 13, 1994. It was Title IV of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act; and
WHEREAS, the legislative initiatives were first introduced in 1990 and received final passage four years later in the form of a compromise between proposals authored by former Representative Patricia Schroeder (D-Colorado) and Senator Joseph Biden (D-Delaware); and
WHEREAS, VAWA takes a comprehensive approach to violence against women by combining tough new penalties to prosecute offenders while implementing programs to aid victims; and
WHEREAS, VAWA has delivered critical resources and support to help survivors of gender-based violence; and
WHEREAS, shelters, rape crisis centers, housing, and legal assistance were made available, and funding was provided to train law enforcement, prosecutors, advocates, and judges to improve our justice system’s response to survivors; and
WHEREAS, every five years, VAWA is reauthorized by Congress. Each time it’s reauthorized, so far, more protections are added; and
WHEREAS, the first VAWA reauthorization in 2000 created a much-needed legal assistance program for victims and included responses to violence and stalking, reauthorized critical grant programs, established new grant sources, and strengthened the federal government’s response to domestic violence. It also reinforced the role of community advocates in coordinating services for survivors; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, VAWA’s second reauthorization produced holistic responses to meet the emerging needs of survivors and communities, such as landmark housing protections, funding for rape crisis centers, and culturally and linguistically specific services; and
WHEREAS, in 2013, VAWA’s reauthorization enhanced access to safety and justice for Native women, immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, college students and youth, and public housing residents; and
WHEREAS, in 2013 VAWA self-petitions allow noncitizen victims the ability to seek legal immigration status without having to remain in abusive relationships with a U.S citizen or legal permanent resident abuser; and
WHEREAS, through the American Rescue Plan (ARPA), $1 billion has been invested in supplemental funding for rape crisis centers, community support organizations, and other services for gender-based violence survivors; and
WHEREAS, according to the 2022 Annual Report on Immigration Applications and Petitions Made by Victims of Abuse, 21,820 VAWA self-petitioning applications were submitted. 7,699 spouses were approved that year. 804 children submitted self-petitioning applications. 191 applications were approved. 9,789 self-petitioning parents submitted applications but only 297 were approved.
WHEREAS, The VAWA Reauthorization Act of 2022 was included in the fiscal year 2022 omnibus spending package signed by President Joseph R. Biden on March 15, 2022; and
WHEREAS, this bipartisan VAWA reauthorization includes groundbreaking provisions to strengthen and modernize the law.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners commemorates the 30th Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
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