WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) joined fellow Members of Congress to co-sponsor H.R. 1585, a bipartisan, long-term reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. 

“We have a duty to work to prevent the scourge of domestic violence and ensure that women in Alabama and throughout the country are safe from violence wherever they may be,” Sewell said. “My state of Alabama consistently ranks among the highest in the nation for domestic-violence-related deaths. This bill will go a long way in ensuring that victims have the resources necessary to pursue justice and rebuild their lives.”

The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 ensured victims and survivors of domestic violence have access to essential services and to justice. This critical reauthorization will safeguard and further build upon these life-saving protections for women throughout Alabama and across the country.

This reauthorization fulfills Congress’s responsibility to protect all Americans by reaffirming protections for every woman, as well as including vital improvements to address gaps in current law that have been identified by victims, survivors and advocates. 

Specifically, this bipartisan bill:

• Improves the services available for victims and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking;
• Expands the housing protections and financial assistance available for victims and survivors;
• Improves protections for Native women, including by reaffirming tribal criminal jurisdiction over non-Indian perpetrators of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking;
• Expands firearms laws to prohibit persons convicted of dating violence, misdemeanor stalking, or subject to protective orders from possessing firearms; and, 
• Invests in tools and resources for law enforcement and evidence-based prevention programs that make our communities safer.

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