U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski, D-Western Springs, has co-sponsored a bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.
The landmark law first was passed in 1994 to usher in protections from violence and abuse for all Americans, and it worked to ensure that all survivors have access to essential services and justice, according to a news release.
“There should be nothing partisan or political about ending the scourge of domestic violence and sexual assault,” Lipinski said in the release. “It is an outrage that 1 in 3 women are still experiencing domestic violence. With this bipartisan, common-sense reauthorization, Congress is upholding our obligation to protect the millions of victims and survivors who need and deserve our fullest support.”
The bill would improve the services available for survivors of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault and stalking; expand housing protections and financial assistance for survivors; improve protections for native women, including reaffirming tribal criminal jurisdiction over non-native perpetrators of domestic violence; expand firearm laws to prohibit people convicted of dating violence, misdemeanor stalking or subject to protective orders from possessing firearms; and invest in tools and resources for law enforcement and evidence-based prevention programs.
“Congress is working to ensure all women in Illinois and throughout the country are safe from violence, whether at home, work, school or anywhere in our society,” Lipinski said.
