After years of advocacy by survivors, including UltraViolet members, we finally have a bipartisan agreement to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). This is a huge, huge victory, and it cannot come at a more urgent time for survivors. 

Police departments across the country have fielded double-digit percentage increases in domestic violence calls since the start of the pandemic. Advocates say that the isolation and financial stresses caused by the pandemic have further exacerbated the existing domestic violence and sexual assault crises.

If passed, this bill would increase access to safety and healing for survivors, especially survivors who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, immigrant, disabled, and from other marginalized communities vulnerable to isolation and abuse. In addition to other programs and funding for survivors, this bill would:

• Include an Alaska pilot program that will empower some tribes to prosecute domestic and sexual violence cases in Alaska Native villages.
• Empower tribal courts to prosecute non-Native perpetrators of sexual assault, child abuse co-occurring with domestic violence, stalking, sex trafficking, and assaults. 
• Expand programs to better serve survivors in rural areas and LGBTQ survivors.

Survivors can no longer wait for VAWA's reauthorization. Add your name now to the petition urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to bring VAWA to a Senate floor vote immediately!