The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is legislation focused on addressing and preventing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assaults and stalking. This legislation was originally passed in 1994 and has been reauthorized several times, most recently in 2022. VAWA is designed to protect and support survivors of gender-based violence, improve criminal justice responses to violence against women, fund services and shelters for victims, promote prevention programs and community awareness.
VAWA provides legal protections for victims, including restraining orders and confidentiality, funding for victim advocacy programs, rape crisis centers, and shelters, support for underserved populations (including LGBTQ+, those with disabilities and communities of color), training for law enforcement and courts on handling violence cases.