When the U.S. Congress enacted the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in 1994, it revolutionized community and government responses to domestic violence and sexual assault across the nation. Since that time, each reauthorization of VAWA has expanded its focus—to include dating violence and stalking, to create and enhance prevention and education programs, to train and coordinate law enforcement, courts, prosecutors and victim services in their response to violence against women and children.

Unfortunately, Congress again made history in 2012 when it failed—for the first time ever—to pass the latest reauthorization of VAWA. With the expiration of the reauthorization bill, funding for existing programs and services for survivors of violence will continue under the 2005 reauthorization. This funding arrangement will make it difficult for many organizations to maintain their current levels of programming and services, especially with ever-tightening national, state and local budgets. The expiration of the 2012 reauthorization also represents a missed opportunity to make VAWA more comprehensive, including provisions for housing, campus-based services and greater protections for certain vulnerable communities.

While we are greatly disappointed that the 112th Congress did not act to extend VAWA’s protections, we will continue to advocate for the 113th Congress to reintroduce and reauthorize VAWA in this legislative session. We, and our partners across the advocacy community, are deeply committed to ensuring that all survivors have access to quality, healing and life-saving programs and services. We are hopeful that Congress will join us in this commitment.