In the U.S., 1 in 4 women are victims of domestic violence at some point in their lives.

Every day, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends.

 

These are just a few of the horrifying numbers and statistics about violence against women in the U.S.

These numbers–these women–are the reason the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) exists. It revolutionized the way violent crimes against women are prosecuted and prevented.

Since VAWA became law, domestic violence has dropped by more than half.

Yet, thanks for House Republicans, for the first time since it became law in 1994, VAWA has expired.

Two-thirds of Americans strongly agree that domestic violence is a serious, widespread problem in the U.S.

In the past few years, Republicans have taken to saying are such things “forcible rape” and “legitimate rape,” and today, a U.S. Representative from Tenneessee actually said,

“Like most men, I’m more opposed to violence against women than even violence against men. Because most men can handle it a little better than a lot of women can.”

Reauthorizing VAWA has traditionally been a bipartisan, non-controversial, easy vote. All women deserve protection from abuse and violence – no matter if they are black, white, immigrant, Native American or gay.

The Senate-passed version of VAWA includes landmark protections for Native American and LGBT women, which is why newspapers all across the U.S. – including in Minnesota – are urging the U.S. House not to eliminate those important protections and quickly pass VAWA.

The St. Cloud Times perfectly outlined what’s at stake and what Republicans are holding hostage with their inaction of VAWA:

Instead of drafting its own version of the bill, which would most likely deny protections to Native American women living on reservations, the House should not squander its chance to pass VAWA as is.

…there’s little time left for a repeat of the political games Congress pulled last session.The VAWA is desperately needed. A delayed vote is not an option.

When the Senate passed VAWA last week, every single female Senator supported protecting women from violence. It is critical that our Minnesota House delegation–including Michele Bachmann, Erik Paulsen, and John Kline–take a stand and show Minnesotans that they take violence against women seriously.

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