Res. No. 1522
Title
Resolution urging the United States Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.
Body
By The Speaker (Council Member Vallone) and Council Members Eldridge, Watkins, Dear, Freed, Henry, Michels, Nelson, Perkins, Reed, Rodriguez, The Public Advocate (Mr. Green), Abel and Golden; also Council Members DiBrienza, Eisland, Fisher, Koslowitz, Leffler, Marshall, McCaffrey, Povman and Wooten
Whereas, It is a shocking, though well-known fact that violence against women has been and remains a serious problem in our society; and
Whereas, The only way to combat violence against women is by recognizing the problem and meeting it head on; and
Whereas, The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994 established new Federal criminal provisions and grants that improve the criminal justice system's response to violence against women; and
Whereas, The VAWA also provided funding for direct services to victims such as shelters and civil legal assistance; and
Whereas, Through VAWA, over one billion dollars was given to communities to help survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse, and a national domestic violence hotline was created; and
Whereas, Through VAWA, tens of millions of dollars of funding have flowed to the State and City of New York to aid us in our efforts to combat violence against women; and
Whereas, Recent statistics released by the United States Department of Justice indicate that in 1998, women experienced over 20% fewer incidents of domestic violence than in 1993, the year before VAWA was enacted, showing that through the programs created under VAWA we have made significant strides in our fight to ensure the welfare and safety of women; and
Whereas, Although we have achieved considerable successes in this battle, there is still much more that needs to be done; and
Whereas, The programs created under VAWA of 1994 will expire this year unless Congress reauthorizes VAWA; and
Whereas, This Council is a leader in the fight against domestic violence; and
Whereas, Today is the day that President Clinton signed the original VAWA of 1994 into law; and
Whereas, It is vital that the we renew our commitment to fighting violence against women, and that we do not lose the substantial gains we have achieved with VAWA; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York urges the United States Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.
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