USDOJ: OVW : The Violence Against Women Act: Commemorating 15 Years of Working Together to End Violence

Seal of the United States Department of Justice displayed against a background image of the U.S. flag


OVW	All DOJ
ABOUT OVW Overview Employment Opportunities Internship Opportunities Messages from OVW's Director HELP FOR VICTIMS Hotline Numbers Domestic Violence Resources Sexual Assault Resources Stalking Resources DOMESTIC VIOLENCE About Domestic Violence Resources & Publications SEXUAL ASSAULT About Sexual Assault Resources & Publications STALKING About Stalking Resources Publications DATING VIOLENCE OVW Grant Programs Information for Applicants OVW Grant Programs OVW 2008 Technical Assistance Call for Concept Papers State by State Grant Activities State Administering Agencies OVW Funding Opportunities Fact Sheets OVW SPECIAL INITIATIVES Safety for Indian Women Family Justice Center Initiative Judicial Oversight Demonstration Initiative Greenbook Initiative VAWA Measuring Effectiveness Initiative Reports to Congress PRESS RELEASES AND REMARKS Events and Meetings Federal Legislation and Agencies International Issues Contact OVW OVW FOIA DOJ Home

Florida Elder Abuse Training Initiative

2010 Campus Institute

Download Logo

From OVW Acting Director Catherine Pierce

As we commemorate the 15th Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, there is no better time to renew our commitment to ending gender-based violence right here in the United States and there is no better time to strengthen our partnerships.

Without a doubt, VAWA would never have happened without the steadfast commitment and work of the countless advocates, coalitions and community partners who worked tirelessly for federal legislation to mark the importance of the issue and provide vital resources. In the past 15 years, countless lives have been saved, the voices of survivors have been heard, families have been protected, and the criminal justice community has been trained on the complex responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking.

Please join the Department of Justice and the Office on Violence Against Women in commemorating 15 years of working together to end violence.

15 Years. Violence Against Women Act. Working Together to End Violence

December 3: It is Time to Talk Day!

Attorney General Eric Holder and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan met with teen leaders, their parents and program directors from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Start Strong: Building Healthy Teen Relationships (Start Strong) on December 3, 2009. The discussion around teen dating violence was held in conjunction with nationwide events as part of the 6th It’s Time to Talk Day, organized annually by Liz Claiborne Inc. to draw national attention to the importance of talking about domestic violence, teen dating violence and intimate partner abuse. Read More

Celebrities and Other Public Figures Join the List!

In addition to the organizations, activists and victim service providers in the field holding events on December 3, the Department encouraged the more than 100 celebrity allies who have lent their names in support of the Department’s “Join the List” initiative to raise awareness with their fans, through web and fan sites, and social networking profiles. Read more to view the list of celebrities.

As part of national events for the 6th It’s Time to Talk Day, organized annually by Liz Claiborne Inc. to draw national attention to the importance of talking about domestic violence, teen dating violence and intimate partner abuse, Attorney General Eric Holder and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan met with youth leaders and parents to talk about teen dating violence. Read More.

The Department of Justice announced the Join the List! Initiative and encouraged the more than 100 celebrity allies who have lent their names in support of the Department’s initiative to raise awareness with their fans, through web and fan sites, and social networking profiles. Read More.

U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke established an award to be presented annually to an Arizona resident who dedicates their time, energy and resources to prevention and intervention efforts in combating violence against women and teens in the District of Arizona. In recognition of her work on the sex trafficking of young girls, the First Annual U.S. Attorney’s Office VAWA Award is presented to Peggy Bilsten. Read More.

On October 19, Attorney General Eric Holder was joined by Deputy Attorney General David W. Ogden, Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli and Office on Violence Against Women Acting Director Catherine Pierce to honor October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month at an event in the Great Hall. Department of Justice employees and grantees and organizations combating domestic violence were also in attendance. The event featured testimonials from survivors and resources from area victim service providers. Invited guests were asked to wear purple or a purple ribbon to honor the efforts of advocates around the country during the month of October to raise awareness about domestic violence.

Attorney General Holder's Remarks

Deputy Attorney General Ogden's Remarks

Associate Attorney General Perrelli's Remarks

OVW Acting Director Catherine Pierce's Remarks

In 1994, the U.S. Congress enacted the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), a comprehensive legislative package focused on violence against women. VAWA recognized the devastating consequences that violence has on women, families, and society as a whole. VAWA also acknowledged that violence against women requires specialized responses to address unique barriers that prevent victims from seeking assistance from the justice system.

The Violence Against Women Act of 2000 (VAWA 2000), enacted on October 28, 2000, improved legal tools and programs addressing domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. VAWA 2000 reauthorized critical grant programs created by the original VAWA and subsequent legislation, established new programs, and strengthened federal laws. Among other changes and improvements, VAWA 2000 emphasized assisting immigrant victims, elderly victims, victims with disabilities, and victims of dating violence.

The Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (VAWA 2005), enacted on January 5, 2006, further improved legal tools and grant programs addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. VAWA 2005 reauthorized critical grant programs created by the original VAWA and subsequent legislation, established new programs, and strengthened federal laws. Of particular note, the statute directed new resources to help victims of sexual assault, Indian women and youth victims.

For full versions of the Violence Against Women Act, please visit OVW's page on federal legislation and resources: http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/regulations.htm

	The History of the VAWA

	The Bureau of Justice Research on Female Victims of Violence provides the current findings on nonfatal and fatal violent crimes committed against females. (PDF)

	Your Questions Answered: Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, and Stalking

	Proclamation by President Barack Obama: 15th Anniversary of the VAWA

	Press Release: Department of Justice Commemorates 15 Years of the Violence Against Women Act

	Message from OVW Acting Director Catherine Pierce on the 15th Anniversary of the VAWA \| (PDF)


		Contact Us \| Accessibility \| FOIA \| Archive \| For DOJ Employees \| Site Map \| Privacy Policy No FEAR Act \| USA.gov \| Other Government Resources \| Legal Policies and Disclaimers