UNITED STATES
The Garden of Roses: Stories of Abuse and Healing

Virginia Jones

Our politicians are at it again — playing games rather than trying to solve problems. Now they are playing with VAWA. VAWA is the Violence Against Women Act, which was passed in 1994 to improve criminal justice and community support for victims of abuse. Among other things, VAWA provides federal money for domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers and other programs to end abuse and support survivors.

When the act was renewed in 2000 and 2005, congress added provisions enhancing services for various categories of victims including the disabled, teenaged victims of dating violence and others. This year, congress added new protections for illegal immigrants, gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender individuals and Native American women. Republicans placed a hold on current legislation, demanding that these new provisions be removed. So far Democrats have refused to comply.

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