Reunion Online

Even as most of the headlines coming out of Washington these days contain the word sequester, another bill is moving along, making progress without quite so much drama. But the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), passed in the Senate and due for action in the House, is no less important.

A disturbing story about law and order today. In the city of Detroit, the woman who holds the job of Chief Prosecutor discovered that thousands of sexual assault cases have been in limbo for decades because evidence from so-called rape kits is languishing on forgotten shelves. It is not a problem unique to Detroit, but it is one that has seen serial rapists, and even murderers, exist undetected for years.

For many actors, there's one break-out role that forever changes a career. For actress Mariska Hargitay, a star turn as Detective Olivia Benson on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" has meant forever changing the lives of victims of sexual assault, child abuse and domestic violence through her Joyful Heart Foundation.

Our Senators must act now to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the landmark achievement in the movement to end violence against women and girls. VAWA revolutionized the way violent crimes against women are prosecuted and prevented, reshaped the way victims receive services and transformed the way communities respond to survivors.

Italy, 1992. A 45-year-old driving instructor picks up an 18-year-old girl for her first lesson, takes her to an isolated road, pulls her out of the car, wrestles her out of one leg of her jeans and rapes her. She courageously tells her parents. They help and support her in pressing charges, leading to the perpetrator's arrest and prosecution. He is convicted of rape and sentenced to jail.

Millions of people will wear jeans on Wednesday, April 25 to participate in Denim Day in LA & USA to raise awareness around sexual violence issues and support survivors of sexual assault.

New Yorkers are encouraged to wear jeans tomorrow in support of sexual assault victims. Politicians and advocates rallied today on the steps of City Hall for Denim Day, which kicks off tomorrow.

More than two years ago, Cleveland police started an ambitious project to account for thousands of pieces of evidence in sexual assault cases going back at least 20 years. In doing so, they join a growing number of cities across America that are testing old evidence that has the potential to solve cold cases and offer some solace for victims, even in cases that can't be prosecuted.

In recognition of April serving as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, 1in6, Inc.—a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help men who experienced unwanted or abusive sexual experiences in childhood live healthier, happier lives—proudly announces their recent partnership with the Joyful Heart Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Emmy Award-winning actress and advocate Mariska Hargitay of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit with the mission to heal, educate and empower survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse, and to shed light into the darkness that surrounds these issues.

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), a landmark in the movement to end violence against women and girls, is up for re-authorization. Authored by then-Senator Joseph Biden and signed into law in 1994, VAWA revolutionized the way violent crimes against women are prosecuted and prevented, and the way communities respond to survivors.