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This bill would reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which funds a broad range of programs, largely at the Depts. of Justice (DOJ) and Health and Human Services (HHS), addressing sexual assault and sexual violence, through 2019. (The program's authorization lapsed on December 8, 2018.)

Some of VAWA’s noteworthy programs include:

Training programs for law enforcement officers to improve their understanding of sexual assault as a crime, their ability to interview victims, and the quality of police investigations;
Training programs for district attorneys to help improve their ability to prosecute rape;
Training for judges to improve the environment for victims when cases go to trial;
Programs encouraging the reporting of sexual assault to police;
Funding for victim services and prevention programs at local sexual assault service providers;
Funding for sexual assault prevention programs on college campuses;
Funding for victim services in underserved areas; and
Efforts to eliminate the backlog of untested DNA evidence from unsolved rape cases in accordance with the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Reporting (SAFER) Act.

","official_title":"To reauthorize Department of Justice programs that combat violence against women, and for other purposes.","short_title":"Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2018","popular_title":null,"short_summary":null,"summarized":true,"cost":null,"cost_commentary":"A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.","impact":"Women; sexual assault survivors; sexual assault prevention programs; sexual assault survivor programs; sexual assault victim services; DNA backlogs; law enforcement officers; district attorneys; judges; colleges; LGBTQ community; DOJ; HHS; and VAWA.","argument_for":"The Violence Against Women Act is a landmark piece of legislation that’s done immeasurable good for women by improving their safety and providing vital funding for combating domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other forms of violence against women and minority groups, such as those who identify as LGBTQ.","argument_against":"The Violence Against Women Act reauthorization shouldn’t simply extend funding for its programs — meaningful improvements to the Violence Against Women Act to strengthen its provisions and improve its ability to protect women. 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Leslee

Should the Violence Against Women Act Be Reauthorized?