BAINBRIDGE – Today, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14), a co-founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence, announced he has sent a bipartisan letter to congressional leadership urging the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in future coronavirus legislation.

 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created countless challenges for us as a nation, including the fact that stay at home and shelter in place orders have resulted in an increased number of people who cannot remove themselves from dangerous situations with abusive partners or spouses,” said Joyce. “If Congress does not act, some of the most vulnerable members of our communities will be left open to abuse, and that is unacceptable. We must work together across party lines to ensure that this pandemic does not cause increased instances of domestic violence or abuse that go unaddressed or unpunished.”

 

Over a year ago on April 4, 2019, Joyce voted for and the House passed H.R.1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019, with broad bipartisan support in an effort to reinstate the program which lapsed on February 19, 2019. This historic legislation has protected millions from domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking since it was signed into law in 1994. However, to this day, VAWA remains unauthorized.

 

You can read the full letter here.

 

You can read more about Joyce’s efforts to eradicate crimes of sexual violence in Northeast Ohio here in the Star Beacon.

 

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