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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) today release the following statement applauding passage of legislation reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act(VAWA). The VAWA reauthorization was included as part of the FY2022 omnibus funding package passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday.

“Nearly twenty-eight years ago, Congress recognized that no one should fear for their life because of domestic violence by passing the Violence Against Women Act,” said Dingell. “As a result of COVID-19, we’ve seen a drastic increase in domestic violence. Countless Americans have been forced to stay inside with their abuser, not knowing where to turn. It’s been nearly a decade since Congress updated VAWA to meet the changing needs of survivors. Without updates to this critical legislation over the last 9 years, good programs helping victims have lost critical funding and survivors have been left in the dark without the resources or support they need. 

Dingell continued, “I am thankful we have finally come together to get this done and get survivors the support they need. This desperately needed reauthorization of VAWA strengthens existing gender-based prevention and prosecution programs, expands services, and improves the criminal justice response to domestic violence cases. 

“I am disappointed this reauthorization failed to include my bipartisan Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abusers Act, which would protect survivors of dating violence and stalking by closing loopholes that allow abusers and stalkers to gain access to guns. I will continue fighting for this important, life-saving legislation until it becomes law.”

The VAWA reauthorization include two provisions written and led by Dingell. The bipartisan VAWA Health provision strengthens the healthcare system’s identification, assessment and response to domestic violence, sexual assault and dating violence survivors with an expanded focus on accessing behavioral health and safety resources across the lifespan. The bipartisan E-SERVICE Act updates how survivors of domestic violence can obtain protection orders by establishing a pilot program grant to explore the electronic service of protection orders.

Dingell serves as co-chair of the Bipartisan Working Group to End Domestic Violence and has led bipartisan efforts to reauthorize VAWA and provide additional support to survivors since her election to Congress.