On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Violence Against Women Act, the White House plans to announce new initiatives aimed at tackling online harassment and abuse, in addition to providing assistance on housing challenges faced by survivors of domestic violence. President Joe Biden authored and advocated for the bill during his time as a U.S. senator, marking it as the first comprehensive federal law targeting violence against women and emphasizing support for survivors and justice.
The legislation aimed to transform the perception of domestic violence from a private matter to a societal concern. Data from the FBI shows a 67% decrease in domestic violence rates and a 56% drop in rates of rapes and sexual assaults between 1993 and 2022, partly attributed to the Violence Against Women Act.
President Biden is expected to speak during the commemoration of the anniversary to outline further actions to fortify the law. The Justice Department plans to allocate over $690 million in grant funding for various initiatives, such as enabling electronic service of protection orders and developing strategies to combat online gender-based violence, an escalating challenge for law enforcement.
Federal agencies will also disseminate information regarding housing rights for survivors living in federally funded residences, including options for emergency housing transfers. White House gender policy adviser Jen Klein emphasized the ongoing efforts to support survivors of domestic violence, acknowledging the progress made since the law’s inception while emphasizing the work that still lies ahead in combating gender-based violence.
The Violence Against Women Act was reaffirmed in 2022 after encountering obstacles related to a provision concerning firearm possession for individuals with misdemeanor stalking convictions. The provision, known as the “boyfriend loophole,” was initially contested by the National Rifle Association and Republican lawmakers, resulting in Congressional deadlock. While the provision was not included in the final bill, Biden later addressed this issue through bipartisan gun safety legislation, restricting those convicted of misdemeanor crimes in dating relationships from acquiring firearms for at least five years.
