Today, KARAMAH celebrates the 20th anniversary of the landmark Violence Against Women Act (“VAWA”). VAWA was and has been instrumental in instituting governmental authority to punish offenders of domestic violence. It represents a turning point in the national response to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Affecting broad segments of our community and spanning across racial and ethnic backgrounds as well as all socio-economic demographics, domestic violence was largely left unregulated by communities and authorities. In 1993, when the Vienna Conference on Human Rights recognized violence against women as a human rights violation, domestic violence was finally on the international agenda.
After the passage of VAWA, studies have found that there have been improvements in federal, state, and local responses to domestic violence and sexual assault. This shift has spurred changes in public attitudes, policy, and law. States have passed over 660 new laws to combat domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking, and more victims are reporting violence by an intimate partner.
Earlier this week, President Obama issued a proclamation celebrating the passage of VAWA, and the strides the country has made in combating domestic violence. “VAWA has provided hope, safety, and a new chance at life for women and children across our nation,” the proclamation said. “With advocates, law enforcement officers, and courageous women who have shared their stories joined in common purpose, our country has changed its culture; we have made clear to victims that they are not alone and reduced incidents of domestic violence.”
The celebration surrounding the anniversary must not overshadow the continued plague of domestic violence around the world. Daily, we at KARAMAH hear stories from around the world of people experiencing unspeaking violence and abuse. Most recently, with the revelation of a high-profile case of domestic violence in the U.S., we have realized that there is still an incredible need in our communities to raise awareness about the issues and sensitivities surrounding domestic violence and sexual assault. In that particular case, it took the release of a video to prompt action, largely following public backlash. If we continue to insist on concrete evidence, which is very often not available in domestic violence situations, and then re-victimize survivors by handling evidence carelessly, we are not fixing the problem.
Education about legal rights and services must occur in order for public opinion to truly shift in favor of condemning all forms of violence in our homes. KARAMAH is proud to offer direct legal services through a Legal Assistance for Victims grant given by the Department of Justice’s Office of Violence Against Women. KARAMAH also continues to provide education on resources that will provide safety, restore legal rights, and eventually turn the tide of public opinion and community narratives. Although VAWA has been a part of the public narrative for the last twenty years, domestic violence is a crisis of society that has been taking place for much longer.
Looking forward, KARAMAH hopes that our service and education will challenge related deep-seated issues surrounding DV such as stigma, backlash, and the re-victimization of survivors. Until then, combating domestic violence is still very much a work in progress.
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